skɔ:tʃ v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a burn
the surface of
with flame or
heat so as to
discolour,
parch,
injure, or
hurt. b affect with the
sensation of
burning. 2 intr.
become discoloured etc. with heat. 3 tr. (as scorching adj.) colloq. a (of the weather)
very hot. b (of
criticism etc.)
stringent;
harsh. 4 intr. colloq. (of a
motorist etc.) go at
excessive speed. --n. 1 a mark
made by scorching. 2 colloq. a spell of fast driving etc. øscorched
earth policy the burning of crops etc.
and the removing or destroying of
anything that might be of
use to an
enemy force occupying a
country. øøscorchingly adv. [ME, perh. rel. to skorkle in the
same sense]