sear

¹ American  

[seer] / sɪər /

verb (used with object)

1. to burn or char the surface of.

   She seared the steak to seal in the juices.

2. to mark with a branding iron.

3. to burn or scorch injuriously or painfully.

   He seared his hand on a hot steam pipe.

4. to harden or scar emotionally.

   The traumatic experiences of her youth have permanently seared her.

5. to dry up or wither; parch.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become dry or withered, as vegetation.

noun

1. a mark or scar made by searing.

adjective

1. sere.

sear ² American  

[seer] / sɪər /

noun

1. a pivoted piece that holds the hammer at full cock or half cock in the firing mechanism of small arms.

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sear ¹ British  

/ sɪə /

verb

1. to scorch or burn the surface of

2. to brand with a hot iron

3. to cause to wither or dry up

4. rare to make callous or unfeeling

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noun

1. a mark caused by searing

adjective

1. poetic dried up

sear ² British  

/ sɪə /

noun

1. the catch in the lock of a small firearm that holds the hammer or firing pin cocked

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Related Words

See burn ¹.

Other Word Forms

• unseared adjective

Etymology

Origin of sear¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective ser(e), Old English sēar; cognate with Dutch zoor; the verb is derivative of the adjective

Origin of sear²

First recorded in 1550–60; from Middle French serre “a grip,” derivative of serrer “to lock up, close,” ultimately from Late Latin serāre “to bar (a door)”

Example Sentences

The ordeal was all-too-common during the deadly, destructive firestorms that seared Los Angeles County a little more than a year ago.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s searing pain from all the lactic acid. It floods your system. You blow capillaries in your eyes, you throw up after races,” said Cheek, now an NBC analyst.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil and sear the ribs evenly, making sure they’re nice and brown on all sides, before transferring them to a plate.

From Salon

On a recent visit, workers assembled shotguns and manufactured pistol and rifle barrels amid the searing sound of metal being cut.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even searing inflation earlier in the 2020s and the resulting higher price levels haven’t derailed spending, despite frustrations about the costs of daily necessities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blight
• scorch
• sizzle
• toast