scorcher
Meaning
a very hot day
something that is very fast, exciting, or impressive, especially in sports
Structure
Usage
with temperatures reaching 40 degrees, today is an absolute scorcher.
the new striker scored a scorcher from 30 yards out.
we had a week of scorchers in july, breaking all previous records.
Etymology
the word "scorcher" is formed from the verb "scorch," which entered english in the late middle english period. the origin of "scorch" is somewhat obscure but is likely related to the old norse word skorpna, meaning "to shrivel," suggesting a connection to the effect of dry heat. the suffix "-er," a common agentive suffix from old english, is attached to create a noun denoting something that causes or is characterized by the action of scorching. thus, the literal meaning of "one that scorches" evolved metaphorically to first describe an extremely hot day and later, by extension, anything remarkably fast or intense.
Analysis
scorch (from middle english scorchen, of uncertain origin, possibly related to old norse skorpna "to shrivel"; functional role: verbal root meaning to burn superficially). er (from old english -ere, agent noun suffix; functional role: suffix forming nouns denoting a person or thing that performs an action).