Forms: 7–8 ec(c)lercisment, clarcis(e)ment. [F. éclaircissement clearing up, f. éclairciss-, éclaircir to clear up. Very common in 18th c.]
1. A clearing up or revelation of what is obscure or unknown; an explanation.
1673. Dryden, Marr. à la Mode, V. i. This éclaircissement, which is made this day of your quality.
1716. Pope, Lett., in Lady M. W. Montague’s Lett., xxxiii. I. 117. You could give me great eclaircissements upon many passages in Homer.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic. (1779), III. lxxxiii. 294. Their mutual astonishment was unspeakable at the eclaircissement.
1792. Pitt, in Academy, No. 616. 132/2. His readiness to give me any eclaircissement.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xv. When the éclaircissement comes there will be a scene.
2. A mutual explanation of equivocal conduct; esp. in phrase, To come to an éclaircissement.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., XII. III. 243. Till the first interview and eclarcisements were passed between the King & Queen.
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, III. iii. 49. To get me to meet Loveit here in order to an Eclercismènt.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. lxxiii. 419. As soon as you are prepared to speak all that is upon your mind … then we may come to an eclaircissement.
1815. Scott, Guy M., xx. Such … restraints as might prevent any engagement or eclaircissement taking place.
