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

sear Synonyms

sear

v.

  1. To cook by searing

    brown, char, burn, toast; see burn 2, cook.

  2. To dry by searing

    parch, tan, harden, cauterize; see burn 2, dry 2. See syn. study at burn.

sear Usage Examples

Object

  • scallop: Sear the scallops for about 30 seconds on each side over a high heat.
  • tuna: The Chateaubriand won the main course round closely followed by the seared tuna with octopus.
  • gras: Only one dish didn't work - a tranche of seared foie gras which lacked texture.
  • filet: If you are having seared lamb filet for supper, serve it with a rocket salad with crumbled blue cheese and fresh walnuts.
  • steak: Meanwhile, grill or sear the tuna steak in a pan.
  • conscience: Not a seared conscience that's lost all sensitivity.

Preposition: on

  • side: Add in the foie gras and sear on both sides for about 30 seconds or just until a crisp outer crust forms.
  • griddle: Toast the bread or sear on a griddle to form ridges.

Adjective complement

hot: Heat a pan until searing hot, add salmon and cook for 5 mins, turning once.

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: Next came a perfectly seared piece of sea bass on a crunchy rocket salad with intensely green broad beans infused with truffle oil.
  • quickly: Push the steak to one side and quickly sear the inside of the roll to heat it and mop any juices.
  • permanently: One night out in Barcelona has permanently seared into my upper left arm.
  • well: Method First shallow fry the tofu cubes over a not too high heat until well seared.
  • lightly: The lamb came warm, with redcurrant jelly and tasted like a fine carpaccio, lightly seared.
  • forever: They were forever seared in the minds of the survivors.

Preposition: in

pan: Ingredients 1 leg joint of Blackface Mutton, cover in seasoned flour and then sear in a hot pan.

Preposition: with

iron: Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Preposition: for

minute: Add the lobsters, flesh side down, and sear for a few minutes or until the meat starts to color.