Perspicuous
When a judge writes an opinion your non-lawyer friend can follow, the prose has this quality even if the topic is dense.
Learn This WordMeaning
Clearly expressed and easily understood; transparent in meaning.
Memory trick
Think "PERSPICU-OUS" = "PER (through) SPICU (see) + OUS", you can see through it clearly. Perspicuous = clear and transparent.
Examples
The professor's perspicuous explanation made the complex theory understandable.
The contract's perspicuous language left no room for misinterpretation.
Her perspicuous writing style makes her books accessible to all readers.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin perspicuus "transparent, clear," from perspicere "to see through," from per- "through" + specere "to look."
Usage Notes
Formal word emphasizing clarity and transparency of expression. Used in academic, legal, and professional writing.
Real-life contexts
Praise clarity: "That was a perspicuous explanation."
Describe writing: "Her perspicuous prose is easy to follow."
Use in critique: "The perspicuous structure helps readers understand."
Common Mistakes
Perspicuous refers to clarity of expression, not to keen perception (that's perspicacious).
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Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
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