perspicuity
/ˌpɚspəˈkjuəti/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.06 in modern English
20
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Clarity, lucidity, especially in expression; the state or characteristic of being perspicuous.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "[…]whether through the first officer's want of perspicuity or my own stupidity, I was not a bit the wiser for the explanation."
- "“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."
- "It must have been on some such day of harsh sunlight, the incisive February brightness that gives perspicuity without warmth."
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.
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *speḱ-, perspicuus
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌpɚspəˈkjuəti/
- British English: /ˌpəːspɪˈkjuːɪti/
Usage
Inflected Forms
perspicuities (plural)
perspicuite (alternative, obsolete)
perspicuitie (alternative, obsolete)
perspicuitye (alternative, obsolete)
perspicuyte (alternative, obsolete)
perspycuitie (alternative, obsolete)