Crossword Genius

Burn the surface of (4)

Ross

I think it could be either:

sear

char

'burn the surface of' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for sear that I've seen before include "Cauterise" , "Burn, scorch intensely" , "Dried-up, parched" , "Cauterize" , "Burn briefly" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times.
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