Scorch or burn the surface of (4) Crossword Clue
Answer: SEAR (4 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Scorch or burn the surface of" with 4 letters is "SEAR".Sear means to scorch or burn the surface of something, typically food, with high heat to create a browned or charred exterior. This technique is often used in cooking to lock in flavors and create a crispy texture, such as when searing meat before roasting or grilling.
Why "Sear" Fits
The clue asks for a single word (4 letters) meaning "scorch or burn the surface of." The answer, SEAR, fits perfectly:
- Scorch or burn the surface of: Sear is the exact verb for applying intense heat to the outside of something, especially food or skin, so that the outer layer is charred, browned, or quickly cooked—matching the clue’s definition precisely.
- Direct match: With four letters, sear fits the enumeration exactly.
- Precise meaning: The term most commonly refers to using high, direct heat to produce a brown, crisp, or blackened surface while often leaving the interior unaffected.
Sear is widely used in cooking, botany, and literature:
Origin and usage:
- From Old English searian (“to wither, dry up”), it evolved into the culinary context as “to burn or char the surface.”
- In the kitchen, to sear meat means browning it over intense heat to seal in flavors or create flavorful crusts.
- In figurative language, “sear” conveys a sharp, lasting emotional impact or withering effect.
Examples and context:
- “Sear the steak for two minutes on each side.”
- “The sun seared the desert landscape.”
- “A searing pain shot through his hand.”
In quick crosswords like “Scorch or burn the surface of (4),” clues for cooking actions or intense heat favor simple, direct verbs:
Definition: “Scorch” and “burn the surface” are both textbook definitions for sear, making it the clearest, most specific answer.
Clue type: Direct verb synonym, popular in culinary and science clues.
Solving approach:
- For four-letter verbs linked to burning or browning, sear is the precise and popular word; competitors like “char” (4) are possible, but “sear” specifically means just browning the surface.
Crossword pattern: Verbs like sear, char, burn, singe are staples for short, vivid answer slots.
