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.

Nearby words

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

Related formscau·ter·i·za·tion, nounun·cau·ter·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cauterization

A poultice of tobacco leaves is a favorite remedy, and may be used to soothe the sore after cauterization.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse|United States Department of Agriculture
For fall of the uvula he suggests gargles, but when these fail he advises resection and cauterization.
Old-Time Makers of Medicine|James J. Walsh
When this fails, recourse may be had to cauterization with the point of a heated iron or some other form of actual cautery.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various
Cauterization should be resorted to if the point of infection is early known.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1|Various

This is of importance in order to prevent scalding of the surrounding tissues during the act of cauterization.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for cauterization

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 Formscauterization 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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cauterization

cauterization

c.1400, from Old French cauterisation (14c.) and directly from Late Latin cauterizationem (nominative cauterizatio), noun of action from past participle stem of cauterizare (see cauterize).

cauterize

c.1400, from Old French cauterisier, from Late Latin cauterizare "to burn or brand with a hot iron," from Greek kauteriazein, from kauter "burning or branding iron," from kaiein "to burn" (see caustic). Related: Cauterized; cauterizing.

Medicine definitions for cauterization

cauterize

[ kô′tə-rīz′ ]

v.

To burn or sear with a cautery.

Related formscau′ter•i•za′tion (-tər-ĭ-zā′shən) n.

Science definitions for cauterization

cauterize

[ kô′tə-rīz′ ]

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