pellucere

Pellucere is a Latin verb meaning “to shine through” or “to be transparent.” In classical and later Latin, it is used to describe physical transparency—light passing through a substance such as water or glass—and it can also be employed figuratively to mean that something is clear, evident, or easily understood.

Etymology and related forms: The sense of transparency is reflected in the related adjective pellucidus, which literally conveys “transparent, clear.” From pellucidus, English inherits the words pellucid and pellucidity. The verb Pellucere is connected in meaning to this family, sharing the general sense of openness or clarity, though it is encountered less frequently in surviving texts than its more common adjectives.

Usage in literature and lexicography: Pellucere is cited in Latin dictionaries as a legitimate, though relatively rare, verb. Because it is not among the most common Latin verbs, it appears mainly in linguistic references and philological discussions rather than in everyday prose. When it does occur, its sense aligns with light permeating through a medium or with the clarity of expression in communication.

See also: Pellucidus, Pellucidity, Pellucid, Lucere, Latin verbs of clarity.

Notes for learners: For those studying Latin vocabulary, pellucere demonstrates how Latin can express physical properties (transparency) and cognitive properties (clarity) with a shared semantic core. The English cognates pellucid and pellucidity trace back to the same root, highlighting the link between material transparency and figurative clarity in Romance languages and English.