scald

[ skawld ]

/ skɔld /

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See synonyms for: scald / scalded / scalding on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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

to subject to the action of boiling or hot liquid.

to heat to a temperature just short of the boiling point: to scald milk.

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

verb (used without object)

to be or become scalded.

noun

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

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

Plant Pathology.

a blanching of the epidermis and adjacent tissues, which turn pale or dark brown, caused by extreme heat or sun exposure.
a condition resembling scald caused by improper conditions of growth or storage, as in apples, or by fungi, as in cranberries.

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Origin of scald

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”; see origin at ex-¹, caldarium

OTHER WORDS FROM scald

non·scald·ing, adjectiveun·scald·ed, adjectiveun·scald·ing, adjective

Other definitions for scald (2 of 2)

scald²

[ skawld ]

/ skɔld /

Archaic.

adjective

Also scalled . scabby; covered with scurf.

noun

a scab.

Origin of scald

First recorded in 1490–1500; scall + -ed³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use scald in a sentence

I clawed at the scalding sand with my fingertips to ascend a steep, 45-degree slope and stumbled the last steps to the top.
I Tried to Climb the Largest Sand Dune in North America|Emily Pennington|September 22, 2020|Outside Online
New GOP primary challengers are looking to serve their Tea Party challengers a scalding hot cuppa change.
Tea Party Eats Their Own|David Freedlander|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He sees his bare legs splayed out in front of him, and he sees hot brown pitch poured over them, scalding, clinging to his skin.
Why the American Revolution's Loyalists Are True Patriots|Andrew Roberts|February 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
His duty it was to stand at the head of the scalding trough, watch in hand, to "time" the length of the scald, crying "Hog in!"
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various

He crouched, nerves and muscles tense, controled in spite of the torturous cloud of scalding vapor that pressed close to him.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
In the semi-darkness of the cell the steaming liquid overflows, scalding my bare feet.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
He even shed some scalding tears in secret; though, to look at him, that seemed impossible.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866|Various
I attempted to put my hand into one of them to the wrist, but could not get it in to the knuckles without scalding.
Journal of a Trip to California by the Overland Route Across the Plains in 1850-51|E. S. (Eleazer Stillman) Ingalls

British Dictionary definitions for scald (1 of 3)

scald¹

/ (skɔːld) /

verb

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

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

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

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

noun

the act or result of scalding

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

Derived forms of scald

scalder, noun

Word Origin for scald

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

British Dictionary definitions for scald (2 of 3)

scald²

/ (skɔːld) /

noun

a variant spelling of skald

British Dictionary definitions for scald (3 of 3)

scald³

/ (skɔːld) obsolete /

adjective Also: scalled

scabby

noun

a scab or a skin disease producing scabs

Word Origin for scald

C16: from scall

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scald

Origin of scald

OTHER WORDS FROM scald

Other definitions for scald (2 of 2)

Origin of scald

Words related to scald

How to use scald in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scald (1 of 3)

Derived forms of scald

Word Origin for scald

British Dictionary definitions for scald (2 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for scald (3 of 3)

Word Origin for scald