clearness

plural clearnesses

1. obsoleteuncountableusuallyBrightness, brilliancy.First known use 14th–17th c.

   1 more example

   Thenne sayd he Fair swete fader Ihesu Cryst yf euer I dyd thyng that pleasyd the lord / for thy pyte ne haue me not in despyte for my synnes done afore tyme / and that thou shewe me some thynge of that I seke / And with that he sawe the chamber dore open and there came oute a grete clerenes / that the hows was as bryghte as all torches of the world had ben there

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter XV, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVII

2. uncountableusuallyMental or sensory distinctness; clarity of understanding, perception etc.First known use 16th c.

   The daily press is the evil principle of the modern world, and time will only serve to disclose this fact with greater and greater clearness.

   1966 September 6, “The Lowest Depths”, in Time

3. uncountableusuallyThe state of being free from obscurities or opacity; distinctness of light, colour etc.First known use 17th c.

   The clearness of the water meant I could still see the key lying on the river-bed.

4. uncountableusuallyThe state of being free from obstruction or interference.First known use 17th c.

   The clearness of the path made for an easy hike.