(sir) v.t.
1. To wither; dry up.
2. To burn the surface of; scorch.
3. To burn or cauterize, as with a hot iron; brand.
4. To make callous; harden.
—v.i.
5. To become withered; dry up.
—adjective Dried or blasted; withered.
—noun A scar or brand. Also spelled sere. ♦ Homophones: cere, sere. [OE sēarian wither <sear dry]

(sir) noun
The pawl in a gunlock, which holds the hammer at half or full cock. ♦ Homophones: cere, sere. [<OF serre a grasp <serrer close, press <LL serrare bolt, bar <L serare bolt, bar <sera a lock; infl. in LL by L serrare saw]