In a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand; without doubt or confusion.
Formed from 'clear' plus '-ly,' with 'clear' coming from Latin 'clarus' meaning 'bright' or 'famous.' The word entered English through Old French 'cler.' Originally referring to physical brightness or transparency, it evolved metaphorically to describe mental clarity and understanding, reflecting the universal human association between light and comprehension.
Clearly demonstrates how deeply embedded the metaphor of 'light equals understanding' is in human cognition—we literally cannot think about comprehension without invoking visual imagery. This word bridges the physical and mental realms, showing how our language for abstract thinking is built on concrete sensory experiences.
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