clean

clean [klēn]

adj.

[ME clene < OE clæne, clean, pure < IE * ĝ(e)lēi- < base * ĝel-, to gleam > OIr gel, gleaming, white, OHG kleini, gleaming, bright, fine (> Ger klein, small)]

1.

a) free from dirt, contamination, impurities, etc.; unsoiled; unstained

b) free from disease, infection, radioactivity, etc.

☆ 2. producing little immediate fallout: said of nuclear weapons

3. producing few or no pollutants; non-polluting [clean energy]

4. recently laundered; fresh and unused

5.

a) morally pure; sinless

b) not obscene or indecent [a clean joke]

6. fair; sportsmanlike [a rough but clean contest]

7. keeping oneself or one's surroundings clean; neat and tidy

8.

a) shapely; well-formed [a clean profile]

b) trim; not ornate [clean architectural lines]

9. skillful; deft [a clean stroke]

10. having no obstructions, flaws, or roughnesses; clear; regular [a clean drain]

11. entire; complete; thorough [a clean sweep]

12. having few corrections; legible [clean copy for the printer]

13. with nothing in it or on it [clean pockets, a clean sheet of paper ]

☆ 14. Slang

a) not carrying a weapon, illegal drugs, etc.

b) innocent of an alleged crime

c) free from the use or presence of or from addiction to narcotics or other illicit drugs

15. Bible

a) free from ceremonial defilement

b) fit for food: said of certain animals

adv.

[OE clæne]

1. in a clean manner

2. Informal completely; wholly [clean forgotten]

vt.

1. to make clean

2. to remove (dirt, impurities, etc.) in making clean

3. to empty or clear

4. to prepare (fish, fowl, etc.) for cooking

☆ 5. Slang to take away or use up the money or possessions of: often with out

6. Weight Lifting to lift (a barbell) from the floor to the shoulders in one continuous movement: cf. CLEAN AND JERK

vi.

1. to be made clean

2. to perform the act of cleaning

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clean out

1. to empty so as to make clean

2. to empty

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clean up

1. to make clean, neat, or orderly

2. to make oneself clean and neat; get washed, combed, etc.

3. Informal to dispose of completely; finish

☆ 4. Slang to make much money or profit

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☆ clean up on

Slang to defeat; beat

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☆ come clean

Slang to confess; tell the truth

cleanable

adj.

cleanness

n.

SYN.- CLEAN, the broader term, denotes generally the removal of dirt or impurities, as by washing or brushing; CLEANSE suggests more specifically the use of chemicals, purgatives, etc., and is often used metaphorically to imply purification [to cleanse one's mind of evil thoughts ] –ANT. SOIL¹, DIRTY