Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Clere, Cleir, v. Also: clire. [ME. clere (14th c.), from Cler(e,a.]

1. a. tr. To make clear; to clear up or away. a1500 Henr. III. 150/15.
I ken ȝour cunnyng in to cure Is clowtit and clampit and nocht weill cleird c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxviii. 28.
The sone … now schynis bricht, And dirknes clerit 1513 Doug. ii. x. 80.
I … The clowd of dyrknes from thi sycht to cleir 1554–5 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 295.
For dychting and cleirring away of muke … fra the nether tolbuith dure 1596 Dalr. I. 288/29.
This was the first day that brak the cloudis and cleiret the skye

b. intr. With up: To become clear. 15.. Clar. iii. 735.
Be the morrow cleirit up alyte Ib. v. 2606.
On the morne as cleirit up the day

2. tr. To make plain or manifest. 1627 Bk. Carlaverock II. 97.
It wilbe cleired befor ȝour Lordship that they ar his waged soldieris 1653 Dingwall Presb. 254.
The witnesses formerlie summond for cleireing quhat they knowe of the benefice of the Kirk of Dingwell

3. To clear off, dispose of, settle. 1673 Annandale Corr. 312.
I wishe he may be cleired afe now when money is among your hands 1684 New Mills Manuf. 72.
That the compte be clired as quickly as possible