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

In “Downton” Fellowes wrote all the best set-ups and punchlines for Violet, inspired by Smith’s near-flawless track record with crusting each phrase with the perfect sear.

From Salon

And sometimes, but less often, we sear it.

From Salon

It’s been two decades since Haley Joel Osment charmed and terrified audiences as 9-year-old Cole Sear in M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense.”

From Los Angeles Times

Those practices include cultural and prescribed burns, which are intentional fires designed to sear through overgrown vegetation and other material that can act as fuel for flames.

From Los Angeles Times

It can anchor almost any skillet meal when you sear it until golden and crisp, especially if you throw in enough vegetables and vivid seasonings to bring out its best.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• blight
• scorch
• sizzle
• toast