sear

¹

[ seer ]

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to become dry or withered, as vegetation.

noun

1. a mark or scar made by searing.

adjective

1. sere ¹( def ).

sear

²

[ seer ]

noun

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

sear

¹

/ 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

noun

1. a mark caused by searing

adjective

1. poetic.
   dried up

sear

²

/ sɪə /

noun

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

Other Words From

• un·seared adjective

Word History and Origins

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)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sear¹

Old English sēarian to become withered, from sēar withered; related to Old High German sōrēn, Greek hauos dry, Sanskrit sōsa drought

Origin of sear²

C16: probably from Old French serre a clasp, from serrer to hold firmly, from Late Latin sērāre to bolt, from Latin sera a bar

Synonym Study

See burn ¹.

Example Sentences

For the first time, an Algerian author has won France’s top literary award, the Goncourt, with a searing account of his country’s 1990s civil war.

From BBC

For his part, Cutler has been reserved in his responses to Stewart’s searing critique of the film.

From Salon

The sun seared, the water jugs were warm.

From Los Angeles Times

An increase in disposable incomes has also led to a gradual shift to modern amenities like air conditioners that help people cope with the searing heat.

From BBC

I have rarely seen a witness more credible and believable than Ford, who testified that the assault was indelibly seared into her memory and continued to haunt her as an adult.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blight
• scorch
• sizzle
• toast