I. ˈskȯldiŋ, -dēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of scalden to scald
1. : the act or process of burning or treating with steam or hot liquid (as for cooking, cleansing, bathing, or rinsing)
2. scaldings plural , archaic : boiling-hot liquid
3. : scald II 5
4. : a dark discoloration of tobacco leaves resulting from a too rapid increase in temperature during the early stages of curing
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of scald (I)
1. : causing the sensation of scalding or burning
coffee felt scalding all the way down — Wirt Williams
the scalding pie in my mouth — J.W.Ellison b.1929
2. : boiling
sprayed with scalding water to extract the tanning properties — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
3. : scorching , ardent
succumb to a dusky oasis from the scalding sun — Claudia Cassidy
4. : biting , stinging, scathing
series of scalding articles — Christopher Isherwood
a very scalding letter — Virginia D. Dawson & Betty D. Wilson
a scalding comment on human avarice — Time