limpido

Limpido is an adjective used in Italian and, in a literary or formal register, in Spanish, meaning clear, transparent, or pellucid. It derives from the Latin limpidus, meaning clear or transparent, and is cognate with the English word limpid.

In Italian, limpido describes both physical clarity and metaphorical lucidity. It is commonly used for liquids and materials that are free from turbidity, such as acqua limpida or vetro limpido, and for eyes, voices, or atmospheres that have a bright, pure quality. It can also convey clarity of thought or expression, as in una spiegazione limpida or un pensiero limpido.

In Spanish, límpido (accent on the first syllable) is a more literary or formal term that denotes clarity and transparency. It is used for natural elements like agua límpida, aire límpido, or paisajes límpidos, and can describe ideas, explanations, or prose that are especially transparent. In contemporary usage, límpido is less common than palabras such as claro or puro, but appears in poetry, scientific writing, and formal writing.

Limpido can also function as a surname in Italian-speaking communities and may occur in place names or historical references. While primarily a descriptive term, its presence in proper names reflects its enduring association with purity and clarity.