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Sear vs Scorch - What's the difference?

sear | scorch |

Scorch is a synonym of sear.



As verbs the difference between sear and scorch

is that sear is to char, scorch, or burn the surface of something with a hot instrument while scorch is to burn the surface of something so as to discolour it.

As nouns the difference between sear and scorch

is that sear is a scar produced by searing while scorch is a slight or surface burn.

As an adjective sear

is dry; withered, especially of vegetation.

sear

English

Alternative forms

* (l) * (l)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) seer, seere, from (etyl) .

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Dry; withered, especially of vegetation.
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) seeren, seren, from (etyl) , Greek hauos'' ("dry"), Sanskrit ''s?sa'' ("drought"). The use in firearms terminology may relate to French ''serrer ("to grip").

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To char, scorch, or burn the surface of something with a hot instrument.
  • To wither; to dry up.
  • (Shakespeare)
  • (figurative) To mark permanently, as if by burning.
  • The events of that day were seared into her memory.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A scar produced by searing
  • Part of a gun that retards the hammer until the trigger is pulled.
  • Anagrams

    * ----

    scorch

    English

    Noun

    (es)
  • A slight or surface burn.
  • A discolouration caused by heat.
  • Brown discoloration on the leaves of plants caused by heat, lack of water or by fungi.
  • Derived terms

    * scorchy

    Verb

    (es)
  • To burn the surface of something so as to discolour it
  • To wither, parch or destroy something by heat or fire, especially to make land or buildings unusable to an enemy
  • * Prior
  • Lashed by mad rage, and scorched by brutal fires.
  • To become scorched or singed
  • To move at high speed (so as to leave scorch marks on the ground)
  • To burn; to destroy by, or as by, fire.
  • * Bible, Revelations xvi. 8
  • Power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
  • * Dryden
  • the fire that scorches me to death

    References