scorch

[ skawrch ]

/ skɔrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

to affect the color, taste, etc., of by burning slightly: The collar of the shirt was yellow where the iron had scorched it.

to parch or shrivel with heat: The sun scorched the grass.

to criticize severely.

Machinery. burn¹(def 31).

to destroy (crops, towns, etc.) by or as if by fire in the path of an invading army's advance.

verb (used without object)

to become scorched: Milk scorches easily.

Informal. to travel or drive at high speed: The car scorched along the highway.

noun

a superficial burn.

Nearby words

scopula, scopulate, scopus, scorbutic, scorbutigenic, scorch, scorched earth policy, scorched-earth policy, scorcher, scorching, scorchingly

Origin of scorch

1400–50; late Middle English scorchen, perhaps blend of scorcnen (< Scandinavian; compare Old Norse skorpna to shrivel) and torch¹

SYNONYMS FOR scorch

1 char, blister.

3 excoriate, condemn.

ANTONYMS FOR scorch

3 laud.

Related formsun·scorched, adjectivewell-scorched, adjective

Synonym study

1. See burn¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unscorched

If he threw them into the fire, they hopped back to him unscorched; if he killed them, others came to take their place.
History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth. Vol. II.|James Anthony Froude
His brain felt withered, his mind had only one of its many-sighted eyes left open and unscorched.
Aaron's Rod|D. H. Lawrence
In the chimney of his workshop was found all that remained unburnt or unscorched of the body of the unfortunate Mr. Paas.
The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 2/2|Camden Pelham
After the unscorched remainder of the supper 220 was served, Rachel came to the dining-room to make a suggestion.
Natalie: A Garden Scout|Lillian Elizabeth Roy

As soon as his meagre back was turned Knight stooped and retrieved the letter in its envelope, unscorched, from the fireplace.
The Second Latchkey|Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for unscorched

scorch

/ (skɔːtʃ) /

verb

to burn or become burnt, so as to affect the colour, taste, etc, or to cause or feel pain

to wither or parch or cause to wither from exposure to heat

(intr) informal to be very hotit is scorching outside

(tr) informal to criticize harshly

(intr) British slang to drive or ride very fast

noun

a slight burn

a mark caused by the application of too great heat

horticulture a mark or series of marks on fruit, vegetables, etc, caused by pests or insecticides

Derived Formsscorching, adjective

Word Origin for scorch

C15: probably from Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up

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

Word Origin and History for unscorched

scorch

"to burn superficially or slightly, but so as to change the color or injure the texture," early 14c., perhaps an alteration of scorrcnenn "make dry, parch" (c.1200), of obscure origin, perhaps from Old Norse skorpna "to be shriveled," cognate with Old English scrimman "to shrink, dry up." Or perhaps from Old French escorchier "to strip off the skin," from Vulgar Latin excorticare "to flay," from ex- (see ex-) + Latin cortex (genitive corticis) "cork;" but OED finds this not likely. Scorched earth military strategy is 1937, translation of Chinese jiaotu, used against the Japanese in a bid to stem their advance into China.

scorch

.css-1gxch3{color:#1a1a1a;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;}verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Nearby words

Origin of scorch

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for unscorched

British Dictionary definitions for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} unscorched

scorch

verb

noun

Word Origin for scorch

Word Origin and History for unscorched

scorch

verb (used with object)

British Dictionary definitions for unscorched