alt. of sere-to wither; to dry up.-to burn (the surface of) to dryness and hardness; to cauterize; to expose to a degree of heat such as changes the color or the hardness and texture of the surface; to scorch; to make callous; as, to sear the skin or flesh. also used figuratively.-the catch in a gunlock by which the hammer is held cocked or half cocked.