Definition of the word clear away

The origin of the phrase "clear away" can be traced back to the Middle English era, during the 14th century. At that time, it was spelled "clerwen" or "claruen," and it meant "to make clean" or "to free from dirt or filth." The term "clear" in this context referred to the act of making something pure or unobscured, while "away" represented the removal of something unwanted or impure. This interpretation can be seen in the early uses of the word, which were often in reference to washing or cleaning tasks. Over time, the meaning of the phrase evolved to include the act of removing physical objects or people from a location. This expanded usage can be seen in writers like William Shakespeare, who used "clear away" in the play "Richard II" to mean "remove" or "eliminate." In modern usage, "clear away" is most commonly used to describe the clearing of an area, such as clearing a table after a meal, or clearing a path through snow or debris. It can also be used to mean "to disperse" or "to depart" in the context of people leaving a location. Overall, the evolution of "clear away" has followed a natural path, growing from a specific reference to washing or cleaning to encompass more general usage related to the removal of unwanted objects or people.