perspicuous

American  

[per-spik-yoo-uhs] / pərˈspɪk yu əs /

adjective

1. clearly expressed or presented; lucid.

   Synonyms:

   explicit, distinct, plain, intelligible

   Antonyms:

   indistinct, obscure

2. perspicacious.

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perspicuous British  

/ pəˈspɪkjʊəs /

adjective

1. (of speech or writing) easily understood; lucid

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unperspicuously
  adverb
• unperspicuousness
  noun
• perspicuously
  adverb
• unperspicuous
  adjective
• perspicuousness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of perspicuous

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin perspicuus “transparent, clearly visible,” equivalent to perspic(ere), “to look over, inspect, survey” (formed from preposition and prefix per, per- “through; thoroughly” + -spicere, combining form of specere “to see, observe, look”) + -uus adjective suffix; see per-, inspect )

Explanation

Perspicuous is an adjective describing language that is clear and easy to understand. When you give a presentation, you should speak in a perspicuous manner so that everyone will be able to follow you. Someone who is perspicuous speaks in a way that makes the meaning absolutely clear. The word perspicuous dates from the 15th century and comes from the Latin word perspicuus, meaning “transparent, clear,” which comes from the verb perspicere, meaning “to look at closely." Language that is perspicuous is language that is easily understood — to the point where you can almost see it.

Example Sentences

It is not therefore sufficient, that the Language of an Epic Poem be Perspicuous, unless it be also Sublime.

From The Spectator, Volume 2. by Addison, Joseph

It would enable me to announce the revelation of Thy effulgent countenance wherethrough that which lay hidden from the eyes of men hath been manifested in Thy name, the Perspicuous, the sovereign Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

From Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh by Bahá'u'lláh

It is requisite that the Language of an Heroic Poem should be both Perspicuous and Sublime1.

From The Spectator, Volume 2. by Addison, Joseph

In this Day the faculty of hearing exclaimeth, ‘This is my Day, wherein I hearken unto the wondrous Voice coming from the precincts of the Prison of my Lord, the Perspicuous, the Hearing.’

From Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas by Bahá'u'lláh

Perspicuous signs have appeared on every side, and yet men are, for the most part, deprived of the privilege of beholding and of comprehending them.

From Epistle to the Son of the Wolf by Bahá'u'lláh