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v. scorched, scorch·ing, scorch·es v.tr. 1. To burn superficially so as to discolor or damage the texture of. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. To dry out or wither with intense heat: The sun scorched the plains. 3. To destroy (land and buildings) by fire or military action so as to leave nothing salvageable to an enemy army. 4. To subject to severe censure; excoriate. v.intr. 1. To become scorched or singed. 2. To go or move at a very fast, often excessively fast rate. n. 1. A slight or surface burn. 2. Brown spotting on plant leaves caused by pathogens, heat, or lack of water. [Middle English scorchen, possibly of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skorpna, to shrink, be shriveled.] scorching·ly adv. |
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