Main Entry:

¹scorch

Pronunciation:

\ˈskȯrch\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English; probably akin to Middle English scorcnen to become singed, scorklen to parch

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to burn a surface of so as to change its color and texture2 a: to dry or shrivel with or as if with intense heat : parch b: to afflict painfully with censure or sarcasm3: devastate ; especially : to destroy (as property of possible use to an advancing enemy) before abandoning —used in the phrase scorched earthintransitive verb1: to become scorched2: to travel at great and usually excessive speed3: to cause intense heat or mental anguish <scorching sun> <scorching fury>

— scorch·ing·ly \ˈskȯr-chiŋ-lē\ adverb