Sear

[skinem]

In support of Bailey's short words...
As grilling season approaches, I put this word into play, usually in definition #2 of the verb below...not necessarily the steak.

sear

Pronunciation: 'sir
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English seren, from Old English sEarian to become dry, from sEar sere
intransitive verb : to cause withering or drying
transitive verb
1 : to make withered and dry : PARCH
2 a : to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat b : to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat <sear a steak>

sear

Function: noun
: a mark or scar left by searing

sear

Function: noun
Etymology: probably from Middle French serre grasp, from serrer to press, grasp, from Old French, from Late Latin serare to bolt, latch, from Latin sera bar for fastening a door
: the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock

...and finally--related word...

sere

Variant(s): also sear /'sir/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sEar dry; akin to Old High German sOrEn to wither, Greek hauos dry, Lithuanian sausas
1 : being dried and withered
2 archaic : THREADBARE

The dictionary had them as related, but different etymologies...

[Slava]

Most interesting, and still in keeping with the season, too.

I never knew the noun "sear." I don't think I'd ever given it any thought, to tell the truth.