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clarify

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To clarify is defined as to purify a liquid to make it clear or to remove something.

(verb)

An example of to clarify is cook butter and skim off the foam.

The definition of clarify is to make something more clear or easier to understand.

(verb)

An example of to clarify is for a teacher to answer questions about a lesson.

See clarify in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb clarified, clarifying

to make or become clear and free from impurities: said esp. of liquids
to make or become easier to understand: to clarify one's meaning

Origin: ME clarifien < OFr clarifier < LL(Ec) clarificare, to make illustrious < L clarus, famous, clear + facere, to make, do

Related Forms:

clarification noun
clarifier noun

See clarify in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb clar·i·fied, clar·i·fy·ing, clar·i·fies

verb, transitive

To make clear or easier to understand; elucidate: clarified her intentions.
To clear of confusion or uncertainty: clarify the mind.
To make clear by removing impurities or solid matter, as by heating gently or filtering: clarify butter.

verb, intransitive

To become clear.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English clarifien

Origin: , from Old French clarifier

Origin: , from Late Latin clārificāre

Origin: : Latin clārus, clear; see clear

Origin: + Latin -ficāre, -fy

Related Forms:

clarˌi·fi·caˈtion (-fĭ-kāˈshən) noun

clarˈi·fiˌer noun

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