The Clue
Scorch or torch (4 letter answer)
The Answer
SEAR
Tags
Notes
The answer SEAR is seen frequently, appearing about once every 90 puzzles.
Related Clues
Brand
Burn
Char
Desiccate
Parch
Scorch
Shrivel
Wither
Affix a brand to
Brown quickly
Burn on the outside
Burn the surface of
Catch on a firearm
Catch on a gunlock
Char the surface
Char the surface of
Cooking direction
Dry up
Flame-broil
Gunlock catch
Part of a rifle
Prepare a roast
Purposely burn
Mark with a branding iron
Cook so as to lock in the flavor, say
Definition
SEAR as a verb:
1. (sear, scorch) = make very hot and dry; "The heat scorched the countryside"
2. (scorch, sear, singe) = become superficially burned; "my eyebrows singed when I bent over the flames"
3. (char, blacken, sear, scorch) = burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color; "The cook blackened the chicken breast"; "The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece"; "the flames scorched the ceiling"
4. (parch, sear) = cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat; "The sun parched the earth"
SEAR as an adjective:
1. (dried-up, sere, sear, shriveled, shrivelled, withered) = (used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture; "dried-up grass"; "the desert was edged with sere vegetation"; "shriveled leaves on the unwatered seedlings"; "withered vines"