parch

[pahrch]

verb (used with object)

1. to make extremely, excessively, or completely dry, as heat, sun, and wind do.

   Synonyms: shrivel, dry

2. to make dry, hot, or thirsty.

   Walking in the sun parched his throat.

3. to dry (peas, beans, grain, etc.) by exposure to heat without burning; to toast or roast slightly.

   A staple of the Indian diet was parched corn.

4. to dry or shrivel with cold.

verb (used without object)

1. to suffer from heat, thirst, or need of water.

2. to become parched; undergo drying by heat.

3. to dry (usually followed byup ).

parch

/ pɑːtʃ /

verb

1. to deprive or be deprived of water; dry up

   the sun parches the fields

2. (tr; usually passive) to make very thirsty

   I was parched after the run

3. (tr) to roast (corn, etc) lightly

Other Word Forms

• parchable adjective
• parchingly adverb
• unparching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parch¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perchen; further origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of parch¹

C14: of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Their frontyard was pathetic; basically 1,500 square feet of weeds and parched patches of Bermuda lawn.

From Los Angeles Times

From Ayia he was transferred to a camp outside Athens known as Amygdaleza, rows of grey prefabricated huts in a parched clearing surrounded by tall fences and security cameras.

From BBC

The torrential downpours come days after a third UK heatwave of the year that parched swathes of the UK and led to several hosepipe bans being declared.

From BBC

"This should all be underwater," he says, motioning towards the parched expanse of exposed white rocks.

From BBC

Ennis drove to the area just outside Kettleman City on a recent afternoon, stopping on the roadside by a field of parched dirt, sparse grass and shrubs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• evaporate 
• scorch 
• sear