sear Hear it!

sear1 definition

sear (sir)

adjective

sere

Etymology: ME seer < OE sear, dry < IE base *saus > Sans úṣyati, (he) dries, withers, L sudus, dry

transitive verb

  1. to dry up; wither
    1. to scorch or burn the surface of
    2. to brown (meat) quickly at high heat
  3. to brand or cauterize with a hot iron
  4. to make callous or unfeeling; harden
  5. to cause to quail or feel humiliated, as by a scornful glance

Etymology: ME seeren < OE searian < the adj.

intransitive verb

Archaic to dry up; wither

noun

a mark or condition caused by searing
sear2 definition

sear (sir)

noun

the catch in a gunlock that holds the hammer cocked or half-cocked

Etymology: < MFr serre, a bolt < OFr serrer, to close, press < VL *serrare, altered (infl. by L serrare, to saw) < LL serare, to bolt, bar < L sera, a bar, bolt

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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