cautery

[ kaw-tuh-ree ]
/ ˈkɔ tə ri /

noun, plural cau·ter·ies.

an escharotic substance, electric current, or hot iron used to destroy tissue.
the process of destroying tissue with a cautery.

Origin of cautery

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cautērium < Greek kautḗrion, equivalent to kautḗr branding iron (see cauterize) + -ion diminutive suffix

Example sentences from the Web for cautery

British Dictionary definitions for cautery

cautery
/ (ˈkɔːtərɪ) /

noun plural -teries

the coagulation of blood or destruction of body tissue by cauterizing
Also called: cauterant an instrument or chemical agent for cauterizing

Word Origin for cautery

C14: from Old French cautère, from Latin cautērium; see cauterize

Medical definitions for cautery

cautery
[ kôtə-rē ]

n.

An agent or instrument used to destroy tissue by burning, searing, cutting, or scarring, including caustic substances, electric currents, and lasers.
The act or process of cauterizing.

Scientific definitions for cautery

cautery
[ kôtə-rē ]

An agent or instrument used to destroy tissue, as in surgery, by burning, searing, cutting, or scarring, including caustic substances, electric currents, and lasers.