scorch

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A slight or surface burn.
2. (countable, uncountable)A discolouration caused by heat.
3. (countable, uncountable)Brown discoloration on the leaves of plants caused by heat, lack of water or by fungi.

verb

1. (transitive)To burn the surface of something so as to discolour it
2. (transitive)To wither, parch or destroy something by heat or fire, especially to make land or buildings unusable to an enemy

   “Lashed by mad rage, and scorched by brutal fires.”

3. (ergative)(To cause) to become scorched or singed
4. (intransitive)To move at high speed (so as to leave scorch marks on the ground, physically or figuratively).

   “Men on cycles, lean-faced, unkempt, scorched along every country lane, shouting of unhoped deliverance, shouting to gaunt, staring figures of despair.”

   “England delivered an impressive statement of intent in the Rugby World Cup opener by scorching to a 69-7 victory against the United States in front of a record crowd of 42,723 in Sunderland.”

5. To burn; to destroy by, or as by, fire.

   “Power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.”

   “the fire that scorches me to death”

6. (transitive)To attack with bitter sarcasm or virulence.
7. (colloquial, dated, intransitive)To ride a bicycle furiously on a public highway.