tr.v. scald·ed, scald·ing, scalds 1. a. To burn (a person, for example) with hot liquid or steam. b. To subject to or treat with boiling water: scalded the hide to remove the hair; scalded and peeled the tomatoes. c. To heat (a liquid, such as milk) almost to the boiling point. 2. To affect with a sensation similar to that caused by hot liquid on the skin: Tears scalded his eyes. 3. a. To cause great emotional pain to: The remarks scalded her heart. b. To criticize harshly; excoriate: an article scalding the administration for incompetence. n. 1. A body injury caused by scalding. 2. A discoloration of leaves or stored fruit caused by any of various factors, such as exposure to intense light, oxidation, or infection with certain bacteria and fungi. [Middle English scalden, from Old North French escalder, from Late Latin excaldāre, to wash in hot water : Latin ex-, ex- + Latin calidus, caldus, warm, hot; see kelə-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.