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

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.

  • 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  • To cauterise the track and so prevent bleeding, the needles should be slowly withdrawn while the current is flowing.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
[ kôtə-rīz′ ]

v.

To burn or sear with a cautery.

Other words from cauterize

cau′ter•i•zation (-tər-ĭ-zāshən) n.

Scientific definitions for cauterise

cauterize
[ kôtə-rīz′ ]

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