overclear

English

Etymology

over- +‎ clear

Verb

overclear (third-person singular simple present overclears, present participle overclearing, simple past and past participle overcleared)

1. (transitive) To make too clear, or translucent.
   • 1946, Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa:

     Unfortunately, this medium tends to overclear specimens, especially the less heavily chitinized species.

   • 1983, Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada:

     However, care must be taken not to overclear the specimens otherwise details of the clypeolabral plates may be obscured.

2. (transitive) To pass, without collision, by too great a distance; to go too far beyond.
   • Mastering Mountain Bike Skills: 2nd Edition (page 159)

     Straighten your bars. Turn the wheel in the direction you want to go; then begin to straighten your arms and legs. At this speed it's easy to overclear the downslope, so really push your bike down to catch the backside.

Adjective

overclear (not comparable)

1. (in negative constructions) Especially clear or comprehensible.

   The phrasing of the new law is not overclear to a layman.

Related terms

• overclearance
• overclearly