Lucidus

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. An adjective describing something clear and bright in appearance or quality
2. Characterizing a state of being free from obscurity or confusion
3. Pertaining to clarity of thought or expression, often highlighting intelligence or brilliance

Etymology: Before it described a sharp mind, this Latin adjective meant simply "shining" or "bright," the literal sense of light falling on something. It comes from "lucere," "to shine," which is built on "lux," "light." The most striking relative is "Lucifer," a Latin compound of "lux" and "ferre," "to bring," so it meant "light-bearer," the morning star. Its later association with a fallen angel came through Christian texts, not from any darkness in the word itself. The move from brightness to clarity was a natural one. Something that shines can be seen through, so Latin writers applied the word to clear water and sky, and then to speech and reasoning that could be readily understood. English took the word largely in that figurative sense.

Synonyms: clear, bright, lucid, transparent, shining

Antonyms: dim, cloudy, obscure, opaque, dark