v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. a burn the surface of with flame or heat so as to discolour, parch, injure, or hurt. b affect with the sensation of burning.
2 intr. become discoloured etc. with heat.
3 tr. (as scorching adj.) colloq. a (of the weather) very hot. b (of criticism etc.) stringent; harsh.
4 intr. colloq. (of a motorist etc.) go at excessive speed.
--n.
1. a mark made by scorching.
2 colloq. a spell of fast driving etc.
Phrases and idioms:
scorched earth policy the burning of crops etc. and the removing or destroying of anything that might be of use to an enemy force occupying a country.
Derivatives:
scorchingly adv.
Etymology: ME, perh. rel. to skorkle in the same sense