clean

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to be cleanable

   This stove cleans easily.

2. 2
   verb

   to clean and tidy up the house

   I clean my house every week.

3. 3
   verb

   to remove all contents or possession from, or empty completely

   The boys cleaned the sandwich platters

4. 4
   verb

   to deprive wholly of money in a gambling game, robbery, etc

   The other players cleaned me completely.

5. 5
   adj

   free of drugs

   After a long dependency on heroin they have been clean for 4 years.

6. 6
   adj

   free from dirt or impurities

   or having clean habits

7. 7
   adj

   thorough and without qualification

   a clean getaway

8. 8
   adj

   without difficulties or problems

   a clean test flight

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *klainī Old English clǣne Middle English clene English clean From Middle English clene, clane, from Old English clǣne (“clean, pure”), from Proto-West Germanic *klainī (“shining, fine, splendid, tender”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *glēy- (“gleaming”), from Proto-Indo-European *gel- (“to gleam”). Cognate with Scots clean (“absolute, pure, clear, empty”) and clene, clane (“clean”), North Frisian klien (“small”), West Frisian klien (“small”), klean (“clean”), Dutch klein (“small”), Low German kleen (“small”), German klein (“small”), Swedish klen (“weak, f…