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Sear vs Desensitized - What's the difference?

sear | desensitized |

As verbs the difference between sear and desensitized

is that sear is to char, scorch, or burn the surface of something with a hot instrument while desensitized is (desensitize).

As an adjective sear

is dry; withered, especially of vegetation.

As a noun sear

is a scar produced by searing.

sear

English

Alternative forms

* (l) * (l)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) seer, seere, from (etyl) .

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Dry; withered, especially of vegetation.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) seeren, seren, from (etyl) , Greek hauos'' ("dry"), Sanskrit ''s?sa'' ("drought"). The use in firearms terminology may relate to French ''serrer ("to grip").

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To char, scorch, or burn the surface of something with a hot instrument.
  • To wither; to dry up.
    • (Shakespeare)
  • (figurative) To mark permanently, as if by burning.
    • The events of that day were seared into her memory.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A scar produced by searing
  • Part of a gun that retards the hammer until the trigger is pulled.

    • Anagrams

    * ----

    desensitized

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (desensitize)

    • desensitize

    English

    Alternative forms

    * desensitise (British)

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To cause to become less sensitive or insensitive.
    • Working in an Operating Room desensitized me to the sight of blood.

    Derived terms

    * (l)