I.
variant of sere
II. ˈsi(ə)r, ˈsiə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English seren, from Old English sēarian, from sēar dry, withered, sere — more at sere
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to wither away : become sere
2. : to cause withering or drying
harsh winds that sear and burn
transitive verb
1. : to make withered and dry : desiccate , parch , shrivel
plants seared by frost and wind
2. : to burn, scorch, or harden (as flesh) with or as if with sudden application of intense heat: as
a. : cauterize
b. : to injure with or as if with fire
the bullet seared his leg
had a bad burn where he was seared by the soldering iron
c. : to cook quickly the surface of (a piece of meat) usually to develop color and flavor : brown quickly as a first stage in cooking
Synonyms: see burn
III. noun
( -s )
: a mark or scar left by searing or by a cautery or branding iron
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from Middle French serre grip, grasp, clip, from serrer to press, squeeze, grasp, from Late Latin serare to bolt (a door), from Latin sera bar for fastening a door
1. : the catch that holds the hammer of a gunlock at cock or half cock
2. obsolete : a releasing or yielding point or stage
the clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o' the sear — Shakespeare