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scald

verb
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\ ˈskȯld How to pronounce scald (audio) \
scalded; scalding; scalds

Definition of scald

 (Entry 1 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam
2a : to subject to the action of boiling water or steam
b : to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point scald milk
3 : scorch

intransitive verb

1 : to scald something
2 : to become scalded

scald

noun (1)

Definition of scald (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : an injury to the body caused by scalding
2 : an act or process of scalding
3 : any of various conditions or diseases of plants or fruits marked especially by a usually brownish discoloration of tissue

scald

adjective (1)

Definition of scald (Entry 3 of 5)

1 archaic : scabby, scurfy
2 archaic : shabby, contemptible

scald

noun (2)

variant spelling of

: an ancient Scandinavian poet broadly : bard

scald

adjective (2)
\ ˈskȯld How to pronounce scald (audio) \

Definition of scald (Entry 5 of 5)

: subjected to scalding coffee … with scald cream— Charles Kingsley

Examples of scald in a Sentence

Verb The steam scalded his skin. Scald the tomatoes in boiling water so that you can peel them more easily.

First Known Use of scald

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1791, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for scald

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French *escalder, eschauder, from Late Latin excaldare to wash in warm water, from Latin ex- + calida, calda warm water, from feminine of calidus warm, from calēre to be warm — more at lee

Adjective (1)

scall + -ed entry 1

Adjective (2)

alteration of scalded

Learn More About scald

Time Traveler for scald

Time Traveler

The first known use of scald was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near scald

scalawaggery

scald

scald crow

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Cite this Entry

“Scald.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scald. Accessed 25 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for scald

scald

verb
\ ˈskȯld How to pronounce scald (audio) \
scalded; scalding

Kids Definition of scald

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam
2 : to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point scald milk

scald

noun

Kids Definition of scald (Entry 2 of 2)

: an injury caused by burning with hot liquid or steam

scald

transitive verb
\ ˈskȯld How to pronounce scald (audio) \

Medical Definition of scald

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to burn with hot liquid or steam

scald

noun

Medical Definition of scald (Entry 2 of 2)

: an injury to the body caused by scalding

More from Merriam-Webster on scald

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scald

Nglish: Translation of scald for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of scald for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scald

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