/skawrch/ , v.t.
1. to affect the color, taste, etc., of by burning slightly: The collar of the shirt was yellow where the iron had scorched it.
2. to parch or shrivel with heat: The sun scorched the grass.
3. to criticize severely.
4. Mach. burn 1 (def. 23).
5. to destroy (crops, towns, etc.) by or as if by fire in the path of an invading army's advance.
v.i.
6. to become scorched: Milk scorches easily.
7. Informal. to travel or drive at high speed: The car scorched along the highway.
n.
8. a superficial burn.
[ 1400-50; late ME scorchen, perh. b. scorcnen ( skorpna to shrivel) and TORCH 1 ]
Syn. 1. char, blister. See burn 1 . 3. excoriate, condemn.
Ant. 3. laud.