Sentence:  Mr. Blaine's powers and disposition shone resplendent. . . . the gavel in his practised hand, chiming in with varied tones that aptly enforced his words, from the sharp rat-tat-tat that recalled the House to decorum, to the vigorous thunder that actually drowned unparliamentary speech; rulings, repartee, <WSD>translucent</WSD> explanation flashing from his lips as quick as lighting. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Clear, lucid, or transparent.