cautery
Americannoun
plural
cauteries-
an escharotic substance, electric current, or hot iron used to destroy tissue.
-
the process of destroying tissue with a cautery.
noun
-
the coagulation of blood or destruction of body tissue by cauterizing
-
Also called: cauterant. an instrument or chemical agent for cauterizing
Etymology
Origin of cautery
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cautērium < Greek kautḗrion, equivalent to kautḗr branding iron ( cauterize ) + -ion diminutive suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The procedure is said to be faster than other ablation techniques like cautery or freezing, and less likely to damage the esophagus, which lies next to the atrium.
From New York Times
Dermatologists can cut them off, freeze them with liquid nitrogen or burn them with an electrical cautery device.
From Seattle Times
Authorities say the branding was done using a cautery pen without anesthesia by a doctor who is now under investigation by state health officials.
From The Guardian
The lawsuit alleges Ticho used instruments, including a needle, scissors and cautery pen on her left eye, causing her pain, despite Dryfhout asking him to stop.
From Washington Times
The cautery device being used on Coughlin had a battery backup, but the surgical staff still couldn’t see.
From Washington Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.