scar
UK[skɑː]US[skɑːr]
n
A mark left on the skin or on body tissue after a wound, burn, or sore has healed
n
A lasting effect of grief, fear, or other unpleasant experience on a person's mind
v
To mark or become marked with a scar
Etymology
The word 'scar' has a journey that traces back to the Greek word 'eskhara', which originally referred to a fireplace or hearth, and by extension, the scab or eschar formed by a burn. This term passed into Latin as 'eschara', retaining its medical meaning. It was then adopted into Old French as 'escarre', referring to a scab or scar. English borrowed the word from French in the late 14th century, initially as 'skar' or 'scarre', and over time it simplified to 'scar'. The semantic evolution moved from the specific concept of a burn's crust to the general, lasting mark left by any healed wound, and later extended metaphorically to psychological wounds.
Analysis
The word 'scar' is a simplex word of Greek origin, borrowed into English via Latin and French. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes in its modern English form.
Examples
The surgery left a faint scar on her abdomen.
The traumatic event left a deep psychological scar.
Such a severe cut is likely to scar.