scald

¹

[skawld]

verb (used with object)

1. to burn or affect painfully with or as if with hot liquid or steam.

2. to subject to the action of boiling or hot liquid.

3. to heat to a temperature just short of the boiling point.

   to scald milk.

4. to parboil or blanch (fruit, vegetables, etc.).

verb (used without object)

1. to be or become scalded.

noun

1. a burn caused by the action of hot liquid or steam.

2. any similar condition, especially as the result of too much heat or sunlight.

3. Plant Pathology.

   1. a blanching of the epidermis and adjacent tissues, which turn pale or dark brown, caused by extreme heat or sun exposure.

   2. a condition resembling scald caused by improper conditions of growth or storage, as in apples, or by fungi, as in cranberries.

scald

²

[skawld]

adjective

1. Also scalled scabby; covered with scurf.

noun

1. a scab.

scald

¹

/ skɔːld /

verb

1. to burn or be burnt with or as if with hot liquid or steam

2. (tr) to subject to the action of boiling water, esp so as to sterilize

3. (tr) to heat (a liquid) almost to boiling point

4. (tr) to plunge (tomatoes, peaches, etc) into boiling water briefly in order to skin them more easily

noun

1. the act or result of scalding

2. an abnormal condition in plants, characterized by discoloration and wrinkling of the skin of the fruits, caused by exposure to excessive sunlight, gases, etc

scald

²

/ skɔːld /

adjective

1. scabby

noun

1. a scab or a skin disease producing scabs

scald

³

/ skɔːld /

noun

1. a variant spelling of skald

Other Word Forms

• scalder noun
• nonscalding adjective
• unscalded adjective
• unscalding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scald¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb scalde(n), scolde(n), from Anglo-Latin scal(a)dāre, escaudāre, and Old French eschalder, eschauder, from Late Latin excaldāre “to wash in hot water”; ex- ¹, caldarium

Origin of scald²

First recorded in 1490–1500; scall + -ed ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of scald¹

C13: via Old Norman French from Late Latin excaldāre to wash in warm water, from calida ( aqua ) warm (water), from calēre to be warm

Origin of scald²

C16: from _scall

Example Sentences

An earlier investigation into the facility revealed that officers had made “sport” of tormenting mentally ill inmates, including forcing inmates into a specially rigged, scalding hot shower as punishment for unruly behavior.

From Salon

A police officer has suffered scald injuries to his chest and chin after liquid was thrown over him as he tried to arrest a man armed with a knife at the scene of a fire.

From BBC

She says she did not pursue a complaint because she feared that being a junior member of the team, "chances were, I'd be booted off the production, and he may have only got a scalding".

From BBC

Gardner said she had frequently relied on bags of frozen peas to relieve the pain but said some women at the debate had described pouring scalding water on their legs to distract themselves.

From BBC

On a particularly scalding summer day, my friend wanted Chinese food, so I opted to get fried tofu with mixed vegetables and white rice delivered.

From Salon