Definition of 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.