v. & adj.
--v.tr.
1. a scorch, esp. with a hot iron; cauterize, brand. b (as searing adj.) scorching, burning (searing pain).
2 cause pain or great anguish to.
3 brown (meat) quickly at a high temperature so that it will retain its juices in cooking.
4 make (one's conscience, feelings, etc.) callous.
5 archaic blast, wither.
--adj. (also sere) literary (esp. of a plant etc.) withered, dried up.
Etymology: OE sear (adj.), searian (v.), f. Gmc