scald1
v.
- injure with very hot liquid or steam.
- heat (milk or other liquid) to near boiling point.
▸immerse briefly in boiling water.
▸archaic clean by rinsing with boiling water.
- cause to feel a searing sensation like that of boiling water on skin.
n.
- a burn or other injury caused by hot liquid or steam.
- any of a number of plant diseases which produce a similar effect to that of scalding, especially a disease of fruit marked by browning and caused by excessive sunlight, bad storage conditions, or atmospheric pollution.
Phrase
- like a scalded cat
at a very fast speed.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. escalder, from late L. excaldare, from L. ex- ‘thoroughly’ + calidus ‘hot’.