en clair

[ ahn kler ]

adverb

, French.

1. (especially of diplomatic messages) in ordinary language; not written or sent in code or cipher.

en clair

/ ɑ̃ klɛr /

adverb

1. in ordinary language; not in cipher

Word History and Origins

Origin of en clair¹

Literally, “in clear”

Word History and Origins

Origin of en clair¹

literally: in clear

Example Sentences

He said he would telegraph as well as he could en clair to let Jules Favre know this.

From Project Gutenberg

The cypher may be set by the first letter, which is written en clair, as I in this letter.

From Project Gutenberg