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

Let it sear, undisturbed for a few minutes, before flipping to the other side.

From Washington Post

It resulted in great pies, but it was so hot in there that it stripped the seasoning off of the pan and seared the leather gloves and pot holders that I tried to grab it with.

From Outside Online

Add your marinated protein, let it sear for about 30 seconds before stir-frying.

From Washington Post

Try not to stir right away — let it sear until lightly golden brown, turn to the other side and sear.

From Washington Post

Long before I wrote about movies professionally, Walter had seared herself into my consciousness, thanks to a performance that would prove formative in developing her superbly controlled screen persona.

From Washington Post

Add the chicken to the pan skin side down and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes total.

From The Daily Beast

But nothing else holds heat as well; it produces a perfect, practically instant sear.

From The Daily Beast

Heat fry pan with a dash of oil and quickly sear all sides of the tenderloin.

From The Daily Beast

Sear the pork on both sides and on the fat edge, working in batches if the chops don't all fit in the pan at the same time.

From The Daily Beast

Add the venison to the pot and sear on all sides until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

From The Daily Beast

The certainty of this shot through brain and body like forked lightning and seemed to sear her flesh.

From Project Gutenberg

This is done in order to sear the entire surface and thus prevent the loss of the juice.

From Project Gutenberg

He stared at the letter, and certain sentences in it seemed to sear him, even as the branding-iron used on a felon might.

From Project Gutenberg

The cock is kept back by a spring acting on the long arm of a lever, while fastened to the short end was a sear or trigger.

From Project Gutenberg

Grasp the apex of the heart in the forceps and sear the surface of the right ventricle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blight
• scorch
• sizzle
• toast