éclaircissement

American  

[ey-kler-sees-mahn] / eɪ klɛr sisˈmɑ̃ /

noun

French.

éclaircissements plural

1. clarification; explanation.

2. (initial capital letter) the Enlightenment.

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Explanation

Eclaircissement is clarifying something that initially seemed impossible to understand. Once your teacher sits down and patiently explains how to solve an equation, an eclaircissement can finally take place. When something obscure or incomprehensible is cleared up for you, that's eclaircissement. It's a bit like enlightenment, producing a significant change in the way you perceive or understand. You might experience an eclaircissement about your mysterious and cranky neighbor when you see him tenderly caring for his pet pigeons; you understand him more clearly. The French éclaircissement comes from the verb éclaircir, "to clear up," and a Latin root meaning "clear."

Example Sentences

Now the coincidence of this meeting jolts him into an éclaircissement: "You're slow," said Loki, "but you get there in the end."

From The Guardian • Aug. 19, 2011

It was my intention to unbosom myself to him, and seek his friendly advice, but not until a little time had elapsed—not till I had obtained a full éclaircissement from Virginia.

From Osceola the Seminole The Red Fawn of the Flower Land by Reid, Mayne

They had come within a single step of an éclaircissement, and when but another movement would have flooded their souls with light, some malignant influence had seized them by the throats.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 117, July, 1867. by Various

Seeing Emily in tears, and my father's letter in her hand, he knew that an éclaircissement had taken place, or was in progress.

From Frank Mildmay Or, The Naval Officer by Marryat, Frederick

The tenderest and completest éclaircissement takes place, and they are happily united. 

From Memoir of Jane Austen by Austen-Leigh, James Edward