sear sear /ˈsɪr/

adjective

1. (used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture  ( dried-up , sear , sere , shriveled [American] , shrivelled [Canadian, British] , withered )
   (used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
    Dried-up grass
   dried-up grass
    The desert was edged with sere vegetation
   the desert was edged with sere vegetation
    Shriveled leaves on the unwatered seedlings
   shriveled leaves on the unwatered seedlings
    Withered vines
   withered vines
   

verb

1. () Make very hot and dry  ( scorch , sear )
   make very hot and dry
    The heat scorched the countryside
   The heat scorched the countryside
   
2. Cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat  ( sear , parch )
   cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat
    The sun parched the earth
   The sun parched the earth
   
3. (cooking) burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color  ( blacken , char , scorch , sear )
   (cooking) burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
    The cook blackened the chicken breast
   The cook blackened the chicken breast
    The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece
   The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece
    The flames scorched the ceiling
   the flames scorched the ceiling
   
4. Become superficially burned  ( scorch , sear , singe )
   become superficially burned
    My eyebrows singed when I bent over the flames
   my eyebrows singed when I bent over the flames