transparent
Meaning
allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be seen clearly.
easy to perceive or detect; obvious.
having thoughts, feelings, or motives that are easily perceived; open.
Structure
Usage
the transparent glass allowed a full view of the garden.
the company promised a more transparent decision-making process.
her transparent attempt to flatter the manager was obvious to everyone.
Etymology
the word transparent entered english in the late middle english period, borrowed from medieval latin 'transparent-', stem of 'transparere'. this latin verb is a compound of the prefix 'trans-', meaning "through", and the verb 'parere', meaning "to appear, come forth". the literal sense is thus "to show through" or "to appear through". this concrete meaning, describing a material that allows light and vision to pass through it, evolved naturally into the modern abstract meanings. these abstractions, such as something being easy to understand or a person being open and without hidden motives, are metaphorical extensions of the core idea of allowing inner contents or truths to be clearly seen from the outside.
Analysis
- trans: from latin, meaning "across, through, beyond". a prefix indicating movement or position across. - par: from latin 'parere', meaning "to appear, come in sight". a root denoting visibility. - ent: from latin '-ent-', a suffix forming adjectives meaning "being in a state or condition".