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parched

adjective

/pɑːtʃt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of parched

Extremely dry, often as a result of prolonged exposure to heat or drought.
"The grass in the backyard was parched and brown from the lack of rain."

Detailed meaning of parched

It is typically used to characterize the condition of land, soil, vegetation, or even a person's throat or mouth when they are in need of water. When land becomes parched, it loses its moisture and becomes cracked and arid. Similarly, a parched throat or mouth can feel dry, uncomfortable, and in need of hydration. The term conveys a sense of severe dryness and is often associated with a strong desire for relief or rehydration. In a broader sense, "parched" can also be used metaphorically to describe a state of extreme thirst or a strong desire for something, such as knowledge or success, that feels elusive or out of reach.

Example sentences containing parched

1. The parched earth cracked under the relentless sun.
2. His throat felt parched after hours in the scorching desert.
3. The withered crops signaled a parched summer.
4. The land's parched condition required immediate irrigation.
5. She longed for a sip of water to quench her parched lips.
6. Parched grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see.

History and etymology of parched

The adjective 'parched' has its etymology in Old English. It originates from the Old English word 'pearcian,' which means 'to pierce' or 'to penetrate.' Over time, the term evolved to refer to something that has become extremely dry, often as a result of prolonged exposure to heat or drought. The connection lies in the idea that when something is parched, it feels as though it has been pierced or penetrated by the unrelenting heat or lack of moisture, leaving it in a state of extreme dryness. This evolution in meaning occurred during the Middle English period, and 'parched' continues to be used to describe arid and dry conditions, reflecting its historical roots in Old English.

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Further usage examples of parched

1. The river had run dry, leaving the landscape parched.
2. The parched soil desperately needed a rainstorm.
3. The animals sought refuge from the parched wilderness.
4. His parched skin yearned for the touch of moisturizer.
5. The vegetation wilted in the face of the parched climate.
6. Parched leaves rustled in the arid breeze.
7. The sunburned hiker's lips were parched and cracked.
8. The fields turned to a parched, dusty brown.
9. She carried a canteen to combat her parched throat.
10. The desert's parched dunes extended endlessly.
11. The village suffered due to a prolonged, parched spell.
12. His parched tongue barely formed words.
13. Parched forests were vulnerable to wildfires.
14. The livestock searched for water in the parched landscape.
15. The garden's parched soil needed a thorough soaking.
16. Parched earth yielded no crops that year.
17. He yearned for a cold drink to quench his parched throat.
18. The parched terrain tested their survival skills.
19. The relentless heat left the land parched and barren.