cauterize

[ kaw-tuh-rahyz ]
/ ˈkɔ təˌraɪz /

verb (used with object), cau·ter·ized, cau·ter·iz·ing.

to burn with a hot iron, electric current, fire, or a caustic, especially for curative purposes; treat with a cautery.
Also especially British, cau·ter·ise.

Origin of cauterize

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin cautērizāre to brand, equivalent to cautēr- (< Greek kautḗr branding iron, equivalent to kau-, variant stem of kaíein to burn (cf. caustic), + -tēr agent suffix) + -izāre -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM cauterize

cau·ter·i·za·tion, noun un·cau·ter·ized, adjective

Words nearby cauterize

caustic lime, caustic potash, caustic soda, caustic surface, cauterant, cauterize, cautery, caution, caution money, cautionary, cautious

Example sentences from the Web for cauterise

  • But I hardly think this can be so, for it is extremely doubtful if a bullet ever gets hot enough to cauterise flesh.

    With Methuen's Column on an Ambulance Train |Ernest N. Bennett

  • The young woman understood this, and she endeavoured to cauterise the bad place with the fire of her caresses.

    Therese Raquin |Emile Zola

  • To cauterise the track and so prevent bleeding, the needles should be slowly withdrawn while the current is flowing.

    Manual of Surgery |Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

  • Does not the surgeon also cauterise and cut us for our good?

    Anabasis |Xenophon

British Dictionary definitions for cauterise

cauterize

cauterise

/ (ˈkɔːtəˌraɪz) /

verb

(tr) (esp in the treatment of a wound) to burn or sear (body tissue) with a hot iron or caustic agent

Derived forms of cauterize

cauterization or cauterisation, noun

Word Origin for cauterize

C14: from Old French cauteriser, from Late Latin cautērizāre, from cautērium branding iron, from Greek kautērion, from kaiein to burn

Medical definitions for cauterise

cauterize
[ kô′tə-rīz′ ]

v.

To burn or sear with a cautery.

Other words from cauterize

cau′ter•i•za′tion (-tər-ĭ-zā′shən) n.

Scientific definitions for cauterise

cauterize
[ kô′tə-rīz′ ]

To burn or sear with a cautery, as in surgical procedures.