parched

Everyday

1. Very dry because of heat and lack of rain: "parched fields". tree →
2. (informal) Very thirsty: "I'm parched!" tree →
3. (of food) Dried or roasted, as in "parched corn". tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science, parched land comes from drought; plants wilt and the soil cracks. In everyday talk, "I'm parched" means "I really need a drink". In stories, a parched desert traveller shows heat and danger.

Examples

• After the long summer, the grass was parched. tree →
• "I'm parched! Can I have some water?" tree →
• The farmer looked sadly at his parched fields. tree →
• The desert sun parched the travellers' lips. tree →
• Rain finally fell on the parched earth. tree →
• Drink water often on hot days so you don't get parched. tree →
• He could hardly draw breath he was so worn out, and his mouth was parched by thirst. tree →

Note

Mostly used as an adjective. "I'm parched" is informal, especially UK and Ireland. Stronger than "dry" or "thirsty".

In Jewish tradition

Roasted new grain was offered as a first-fruits meal-offering. New grain could not be eaten until the offering was brought. In the Prophets and Psalms, parched land is a picture of dryness, which will rejoice when God restores it, and parched corn is an ordinary food brought to David.

Interpretation. The rule at Passover time is that new grain may not be eaten until the omer offering is brought on the second day of Passover. The rabbis called this ban chadash. The parched desert that blossoms is read as a promise of redemption.

Examples

• And if thou bring a meal-offering of first-fruits unto the LORD, thou shalt bring for the meal-offering of thy first-fruits corn in the ear parched with fire, even groats of the fresh ear. (Torah LEV.2.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor fresh ears, until this selfsame day, until ye have brought the offering of your God; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (Torah LEV.23.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• The wilderness and the parched land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. (Prophets ISA.35.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and meal, and parched corn, and beans, and lentils, and parched pulse, (Prophets 2SA.17.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• God maketh the solitary to dwell in a house; He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; the rebellious dwell but in a parched land. (Writings PSA.68.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mostly used as an adjective. "I'm parched" is informal, especially UK and Ireland. Stronger than "dry" or "thirsty".