a. [f. med. or mod.L. transpicu-us, f. L. transpic-ĕre to look or see through (f. TRANS- + specĕre to look), on analogy of conspicuous, perspicuous.] That can be seen through; pervious to vision.
1638. Wilkins, New World, I. (1684), 75. Of this Opinion also was Cæsar la Galla, whose Words are these, ‘The Moon doth there appear Clearest, where she is Transpicuous [luna est transpicua], not only through the Superficies, but the Substance also, and there she seems spotted, where he Body is most Opacous.’
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 141. That light, Sent from her [the earth] through the wide transpicuous aire, To the terrestrial Moon.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), IV. 258. Light corridores, and transpicuous arbours through which the sun-beams play.
1910. Athenæum, 9 April, 432/3. A region of mist … no instrument of science can render transpicuous to our eyes.
b. fig. Of language, etc.: Plain, clear in meaning; also gen. easily perceived or detected; manifest. Cf. TRANSPARENT 2.
1877. Patmore, Unknown Eros, i. 2. The lonely suns, the mystic hazes and throng’d sparkles bright That … In sweet transpicuous words, shall glow alway.
1896. T. Hutchinson, in Academy, 28 March, 256/1. Far-reaching and luminous thought … incarnated in language correspondingly grave and transpicuous, or ardent and sublime.
1908. Month, Jan., 8. Why should we not have new words, so they be musical and their meaning transpicuous?
Hence Transpicuously adv., clearly (in meaning).
1839–52. Bailey, Festus, xx. 358. To speak transpicuously of things Divine Pertaineth not to nature.
