sear
sear Lexical Profile
sear Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To brown or char the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables rapidly at a high temperature so as to caramelize the exterior.
"The chef decided to sear the salmon skin-side down before finishing it in the oven."
To burn, scorch, or injure the surface of something with sudden, intense heat.
"The midday desert sun seemed to sear the bare rock and parch the valley floor."
To cause a sharp, burning sensation of pain, or to leave a permanent, vivid impression on the mind or memory.
"The breathtaking view of the canyon at sunrise was enough to sear itself into her memory forever."
• noun
A browned, caramelized crust formed on the surface of food by cooking it rapidly over intense heat, or a mark left by burning.
"Cooking the scallops in a hot cast-iron skillet produces a golden sear on the outside."
The catch or pivoted lever in a gunlock that holds the hammer or striker at full or half cock until the trigger is pulled.
"The gunsmith carefully inspected the worn sear inside the antique mechanism."
• adjective
Dry and withered, especially of autumn leaves or vegetation (most commonly spelled 'sere').
"The autumn wind rustled through the sear, brown leaves clinging to the oak branches."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'sear' (to burn or brown with intense heat) with its homophones 'seer' (a prophet or visionary) and 'sere' (the preferred spelling for the poetic adjective meaning dry and withered).
• Rhymes for sear
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb and adjective trace back to Old English 'sēarian' (to wither, dry up) and 'sēar' (dry, withered), from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'dry'. The mechanical firearm noun comes separately from Old French 'serre' (a lock or clasp).