n.
Pronunciation: ' sko ̇ rch
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English; probably akin to Middle English scorcnen to become singed, scorklen to parch
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to burn a surface of so as to change its color and texture
2 a : to dry or shrivel with or as if with intense heat : PARCH b : to afflict painfully with censure or sarcasm
3 : DEVASTATE especially : to destroy (as property of possible use to an advancing enemy) before abandoning ― used in the phrase scorched earth
intransitive verb
1 : to become scorched
2 : to travel at great and usually excessive speed
3 : to cause intense heat or mental anguish < scorch ing sun> < scorch ing fury>
– scorch · ing · ly \ ' sko ̇ r-chi ŋ -l ē \ adverb