| sear | 1. To wither; to dry up. 2. To burn (the surface of) to dryness and hardness; to cauterize; to expose to a degree of heat such as changes the colour or the hardness and texture of the surface; to scorch; to make callous; as, to sear the skin or flesh. Also used figuratively. "I'm seared with burning steel." (Rowe) "It was in vain that the amiable divine tried to give salutary pain to that seared conscience." (Macaulay) "The discipline of war, being a discipline in destruction of life, is a discipline in callousness. Whatever sympathies exist are seared." (H. Spencer) Sear is allied to scorch in signification; but it is applied primarily to animal flesh, and has special reference to the effect of heat in marking the surface hard. Scorch is applied to flesh, cloth, or any other substance, and has no reference to the effect of hardness. To sear, to close by searing. "Cherish veins of good humor, and sear up those of ill." Origin: OE.seeren, AS. Searian. See Sear. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| search | 1. To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city. "Search the Scriptures." "They are come to search the house." (Shak) "Search me, O God, and know my heart." (Ps. Cxxxix. 23) 2. To inquire after; to look for; to seek. "I will both search my sheep, and seek them out." (Ezek. Xxxiv. 11) "Enough is left besides to search and know." (Milton) 3. To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as, to search a wound. 4. To examine; to try; to put to the test. To search out, to seek till found; to find by seeking; as, to search out truth. Synonym: To explore, examine, scrutinize, seek, investigate, pry into, inquire. Origin: OE. Serchen, cerchen, OF. Cerchier, F. Chercher, L. Circare to go about, fr. L. Circum, circa, around. See Circle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| searcher | One who, or that which, searhes or examines; a seeker; an inquirer; an examiner; a trier. Specifically: Formerly, an officer in London appointed to examine the bodies of the dead, and report the cause of death. An officer of the customs whose business it is to search ships, merchandise, luggage, etc. An inspector of leather. <medicine> An instrument for feeling after calculi in the bladder, etc. Origin: Cf. OF. Cercheor inspector. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| searchless | Impossible to be searched; inscrutable; impenetrable. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| seared | Scorched; cauterized; hence, figuratively, insensible; not susceptible to moral influences. "A seared conscience and a remorseless heart." (Macaulay) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |