Origin of the part name "sear"

[Paladin1]

An very inconsequential question, but I'm a curious guy. What is the origin of the name for the sear in the handgun?

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"I love to do things that scare me, for without fear there is no courage..."

 

[Slowpoke_Rodrigo]

From www.m-w.com :

Main Entry: 4 sear
Function: noun
Etymology: probably from Middle French serre grasp, from serrer to press, grasp, from Late Latin serare to bolt, latch, from Latin sera bar for fastening a door
Date: 1596
: the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock

[This message has been edited by Slowpoke_Rodrigo (edited June 20, 2000).]

 

[Paladin1]

Thank you for the response. I am now better educated than when I woke up this morning....

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"I love to do things that scare me, for without fear there is no courage..."

 

[James K]

In old books, it is sometimes spelled "Scear".

Jim