Part 120

Scorch (skôrch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scorched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scorching.] [OE. scorchen, probably akin to scorcnen; cf. Norw. skrokken shrunk up, skrekka, skrökka, to shrink, to become wrinkled up, dial. Sw. skråkkla to wrinkle (see Shrug); but perhaps influenced by OF. escorchier to strip the bark from, to flay, to skin, F. écorcher, LL. excorticare; L. ex from + cortex, -icis, bark (cf. Cork); because the skin falls off when scorched.] 1. To burn superficially; to parch, or shrivel, the surface of, by heat; to subject to so much heat as changes color and texture without consuming; as, to scorch linen.

Summer drouth or singèd air Never scorch thy tresses fair.

Milton.

2. To affect painfully with heat, or as with heat; to dry up with heat; to affect as by heat.

Lashed by mad rage, and scorched by brutal fires.

Prior.

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

Power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

Rev. xvi. 8.

The fire that scorches me to death.

Dryden.

Scorch, v. i. 1. To be burnt on the surface; to be parched; to be dried up.

Scatter a little mungy straw or fern amongst your seedlings, to prevent the roots from scorching.

Mortimer.

2. To burn or be burnt.

He laid his long forefinger on the scarlet letter, which forthwith seemed to scorch into Hester's breast, as if it had been red hot.

Hawthorne.

Scorch"ing, a. Burning; parching or shriveling with heat. -- Scorch"ing*ly, adv. -- Scorch"ing*ness, n.

Score (skr), n. [AS. scor twenty, fr. sceran, scieran, to shear, cut, divide; or rather the kindred Icel. skor incision, twenty, akin to Dan. skure a notch, Sw. skåra. See Shear.] 1. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account.

Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used.

Shak.

2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness.

He parted well, and paid his score.

Shak.

3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.

But left the trade, as many more Have lately done on the same score.

Hudibras.

You act your kindness in Cydaria's score.