perspicuity

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from Late Latin perspicuitās (“evidentness”, “self-evidency”, literally “transparency”, “clarity”, “lucidity”), from Latin perspicuus (“clear”, “transparent”; “evident”); compare perspicacity and the French perspicuité. By surface analysis, perspicuous + -ity.

1. Clarity, lucidity, especially in expression; the state or characteristic of being perspicuous.

   “[…]whether through the first officer's want of perspicuity or my own stupidity, I was not a bit the wiser for the explanation.”

2. Perspicacity; insight.

   ““Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.”

   “Thompson, a high school dropout, said with rare perspicuity that he doubted the FBI would hire him.”

3. Transparency; translucence.

   “It must have been on some such day of harsh sunlight, the incisive February brightness that gives perspicuity without warmth.”