Took me twenty years to notice this basic word play.

javis el errante said:

Soo what does "sear" mean?  To help those who speak English as a foreign language and don't have a dictionary at hand or don't like Google...

Well, it isn't a normal use of sear in English, so even native English speakers could find the usage a bit awkward. To sear something, like a steak, is to put it on high heat for a quick, good and browning.  Crank up the heat and throw down the meat. So why Ed sears is a bit awkward. Does it mean he's super pissed? Or does it mean he got totally burned? Is he raging? Is he browning and crisping?

javis el errante said:

jeffbr said:

javis el errante said:

Soo what does "sear" mean?  To help those who speak English as a foreign language and don't have a dictionary at hand or don't like Google...

Well, it isn't a normal use of sear in English, so even native English speakers could find the usage a bit awkward. To sear something, like a steak, is to put it on high heat for a quick, good and browning.  Crank up the heat and throw down the meat. So why Ed sears is a bit awkward. Does it mean he's super pissed? Or does it mean he got totally burned? Is he raging? Is he browning and crisping?

Thanks a lot Jeff

In the context used in the song, it means to feel scarred, burnt.  To feel a sudden scorching pain.  He's surrounded by kids at play, laughing & having a goof time.  It's something that should bring him joy, but he still feels burned. Scarred by a love gone wrong.

To sear in this instance is bitterness