cauterize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb burn, sear, or freeze (tissue) using a hot iron or electric current or a caustic agent
    cauterise; burn.
    • The surgeon cauterized the wart
  2. verb make insensitive or callous; deaden feelings or morals
    cauterise; callous.

WordNet

Cau"ter*ize transitive verb
Etymology
L. cauterizare, Gr. , fr. a branding iron: cf. F. cautérised.. See cauter.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Cauterized ; present participle & verbal noun Cauterizing
Definitions
  1. To burn or sear with a cautery or caustic. Dunglison.
  2. To sear, as the conscience. Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1913