—adj.
1 (often foll. by of) free from dirt or contaminating matter, unsoiled.
2 clear; unused or unpolluted; preserving what is regarded as the original state (clean air; clean page).
3 free from obscenity or indecency.
4 a attentive to personal hygiene and cleanliness. b (of children and animals) toilet-trained or house-trained.
5 complete, clear-cut, unobstructed, even.
6 a (of a ship, aircraft, or car) streamlined, smooth. b well-formed, slender and shapely (clean-limbed; the car has clean lines).
7 adroit, skilful (clean fielding).
8 (of a nuclear weapon) producing relatively little fallout.
9 a free from ceremonial defilement or from disease. b (of food) not prohibited.
10 a free from any record of a crime, offence, etc. (a clean driving-licence). b sl. free from suspicion; not carrying incriminating material.
11 (of a taste, smell, etc.) sharp, fresh, distinctive.
12 (of timber) free from knots.
—adv.
1 completely, outright, simply (clean bowled; cut clean through; clean forgot).
2 in a clean manner.
—v.
1 tr. (also foll. by of) & intr. make or become clean.
2 tr. eat all the food on (one's plate).
3 tr. Cookery remove the innards of (fish or fowl).
4 intr. make oneself clean.
—n. the act or process of cleaning or being cleaned (give it a clean).
Phrases and idioms:
clean bill of health see BILL(1). clean break a quick and final separation. clean-cut sharply outlined. clean down clean by brushing or wiping. clean hands freedom from guilt. clean-living of upright character. clean out
1 clean thoroughly.
2 sl. empty or deprive (esp. of money). clean-shaven without beard, whiskers, moustache. clean sheet (or slate) freedom from commitments or imputations; the removal of these from one's record.
clean up
1 a clear (a mess) away. b (also absol.) put (things) tidy. c make (oneself) clean.
2 restore order or morality to.
3 sl. a acquire as gain or profit. b make a gain or profit. clean-up n. an act of cleaning up. come clean colloq. own up; confess everything. make a clean breast of see BREAST. make a clean job of colloq. do thoroughly. make a clean sweep of see SWEEP.
Derivatives:
cleanable adj. cleanish adj. cleanness n.
Etymology: OE claeligne (adj. & adv.), clene (adv.), f. WG
Useful english dictionary. 2012.