perspicuous

[ per-spik-yoo-uhs ]

adjective

1. clearly expressed or presented; lucid.

   Synonyms: explicit, distinct, plain, intelligible

   Antonyms: indistinct, obscure

2. perspicacious ( def 1 ).

perspicuous

/ pəˈspɪkjʊəs /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• perˈspicuousness, noun
• perˈspicuously, adverb

Other Words From

• per·spicu·ous·ly adverb
• per·spicu·ous·ness noun
• unper·spicu·ous adjective
• unper·spicu·ous·ly adverb
• unper·spicu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perspicuous¹

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; per-, inspect )

Word History and Origins

Origin of perspicuous¹

C15: from Latin perspicuus transparent, from perspicere to explore thoroughly; see perspective

Example Sentences

But were Tagovailoa a combat sport athlete — a boxer or mixed martial artist — there would be a timeline for return as perspicuous as if he were found to be taking banned performance-enhancing drugs.

From Washington Post

It’s a shame, since her vision and craft were so lively and perspicuous.

From New York Times

The different interplaying factors — fascism, identity politics, neoliberal economics, terror, globalization — have all come to full fruition as any perspicuous observer might have noted for many years.

From Salon

When experience has once clearly exhibited these facts and science has marshalled them in economic and perspicuous order, there is no doubt that we shall understand them.

From Project Gutenberg

One must be extremely exact, clear, and perspicuous, in everything one says, otherwise, instead of entertaining, or informing others, one only tires and puzzles them.

From Project Gutenberg