Sear

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Sear

(a.) Alt. of Sere
(a.) To wither; to dry up.
(a.) To burn (the surface of) to dryness and hardness; to cauterize; to expose to a degree of heat such as changes the color or the hardness and texture of the surface; to scorch; to make callous; as, to sear the skin or flesh. Also used figuratively.
(n.) The catch in a gunlock by which the hammer is held cocked or half cocked.