Searing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Culinary Arts

• In cooking, searing refers to browning the surface of meat at high temperature, enhancing flavor through caramelization.
• The Maillard reaction, named after the French chemist Louis-Camille Maillard, explains why searing creates complex flavors and aromas.
• Many chefs believe searing meat before cooking helps retain its delicious juices, making the final dish more succulent.

Literature

• Searing imagery is often used in literature to convey intense emotions or experiences, such as love or pain.
• Authors like Hemingway use searing descriptions to immerse readers in the character's experiences, drawing on the intensity of heat to symbolize conflict.
• In poetry, searing moments are often metaphors for transformation, depicting how intense experiences shape identity.

Psychology

• The term is often used metaphorically in psychology to describe intense emotional pain or trauma, as in 'searing memories.'
• Studies suggest that strong emotions, which can feel like 'searing' pain, are more likely to be remembered vividly, impacting future behaviors.
• Therapy often involves addressing those 'searing' moments in life that profoundly affect a person's psyche and emotional health.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'searing' comes from the Old English word 'sēarian,' which means to become dry or parched.
• Used for centuries, it initially meant to burn the surface of something but has since evolved to describe intense heat.
• The connection to cooking is significant; searing meats creates a flavorful crust while trapping juices inside.

The word 'searing' originates from the Old English word 'sēarian', meaning 'to burn, brand, or cauterize'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of intense heat or cooking with high temperatures. The use of 'searing' in both literal and metaphorical contexts has made it a versatile word in the English language.

See also: seared.

Positioned at #22,155, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 22152 dun
• 22153 cranberry
• 22154 shamed
• 22155 searing
• 22156 welder
• 22157 jailer
• 22158 interrogatory
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