The word "clears away" consists of two syllables: "clears" and "away". The first syllable, "clears", is spelled with the /klɪrz/ sound, which represents the voiceless alveolar lateral fricative consonant /l/ and the voiced alveolar fricative consonant /z/. The second syllable, "away", is spelled with the /əˈweɪ/ sound, which represents the schwa vowel /ə/, the voiced labio-velar approximant consonant /w/, and the diphthong /eɪ/. "Clears away" means to remove or get rid of something.
Clears away refers to the act of removing or eliminating something, typically clutter, debris, or obstacles, in order to create a clean, organized, or unobstructed space or path. It is the process of tidying up or ensuring that an area is free from any unwanted or unnecessary elements.
In a literal sense, clearing away can involve physically picking up and discarding objects, sweeping away dust or dirt, or straightening out a disarrayed area. This action aims to restore order, tidiness, and cleanliness to a space.
Metaphorically, clears away can also describe eliminating or resolving issues, obstacles, or uncertainty in a figurative sense. It implies removing barriers or hindrances that impede progress or create confusion. For example, a person may need to clear away distractions or irrelevant information in order to focus on a task or make a decision. In this context, clearing away relates to mentally or emotionally decluttering to achieve clarity or resolution.
Overall, clears away suggests a process of eliminating obstructions, whether tangible or intangible, to create a more organized and uncluttered environment, mentally or physically.
The etymology of the word "clears away" can be traced back to its constituent parts: "clear" and "away".
The word "clear" derived from the Middle English word "clere", which originated from the Old English word "clǣre" meaning "bright" or "shining". It can be further traced to the Proto-Germanic word "klaraz" meaning "clear, pure".
The term "away" comes from the Middle English word "awey", derived from the Old English word "onweg" meaning "on from, away". This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "weg" or "wegaz" meaning "way, path".
When combined, "clears away" refers to the act of removing or eliminating something, creating a sense of clarity or brightness by removing obstacles or unwanted objects.