What is "clear stuff"

Stuff \Stuff\, n. [OF. estoffe, F. ['e]toffe; of uncertain origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t. Cf. Stuff, v. t.]

1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of manufacture.

   For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
   --Ex. xxxvi. 7.

   Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff.
   --Shak.

   The workman on his stuff his skill doth show, And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill.
   --Sir J. Davies.

2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up; elemental part; essence.

   Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do no contrived murder.
   --Shak.

3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind; specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber.

   What stuff wilt have a kirtle of?
   --Shak.

   It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though, superior kinds were of silk exclusively.
   --F. G. Lee.

4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils.

   He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff.
   --Hayward.

5. A medicine or mixture; a potion.
   --Shak.

6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or irrational language; nonsense; trash.

   Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write.
   --Dryden.

7. (Naut.) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared for lubrication.
   --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

8. Paper stock ground ready for use.

   Note: When partly ground, called half stuff.
   --Knight.

   Clear stuff. See under Clear.

   Small stuff (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage.
   --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

   Stuff gown, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister; hence, a junior barrister himself. See Silk gown, under Silk.

Clear \Clear\ (kl[=e]r), a. [Compar. Clearer (-[~e]r); superl. Clearest.] [OE. cler, cleer, OF. cler, F. clair, fr.L. clarus, clear, bright, loud, distinct, renowned; perh. akin to L. clamare to call, E. claim. Cf. Chanticleer, Clairvoyant, Claret, Clarify.]

1. Free from opaqueness; transparent; bright; light; luminous; unclouded.

   The stream is so transparent, pure, and clear.
   --Denham.

   Fair as the moon, clear as the sun.
   --Canticles vi. 10.

2. Free from ambiguity or indistinctness; lucid; perspicuous; plain; evident; manifest; indubitable.

   One truth is clear; whatever is, is right.
   --Pope.

3. Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating; as, a clear intellect; a clear head.

   Mother of science! now I feel thy power Within me clear, not only to discern Things in their causes, but to trace the ways Of highest agents.
   --Milton.

4. Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.

   With a countenance as clear As friendship wears at feasts.
   --Shak.

5. Easily or distinctly heard; audible; canorous.

   Hark! the numbers soft and clear Gently steal upon the ear.
   --Pope.

6. Without mixture; entirely pure; as, clear sand.

7. Without defect or blemish, such as freckles or knots; as, a clear complexion; clear lumber.

8. Free from guilt or stain; unblemished.

   Statesman, yet friend to truth! in soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honor clear.
   --Pope.

9. Without diminution; in full; net; as, clear profit.

   I often wished that I had clear, For life, six hundred pounds a-year.
   --Swift .

10. Free from impediment or obstruction; unobstructed; as, a clear view; to keep clear of debt.

    My companion . . . left the way clear for him.
    --Addison.

11. Free from embarrassment; detention, etc.

    The cruel corporal whispered in my ear, Five pounds, if rightly tipped, would set me clear.
    --Gay.

    Clear breach. See under Breach, n., 4.

    Clear days (Law.), days reckoned from one day to another, excluding both the first and last day; as, from Sunday to Sunday there are six clear days.

    Clear stuff, boards, planks, etc., free from knots.

    Syn: Manifest; pure; unmixed; pellucid; transparent; luminous; obvious; visible; plain; evident; apparent; distinct; perspicuous. See Manifest.

n. (context archaic English) Boards, planks, etc., that are free of knots.