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cauterize

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The definition of cauterize is to burn or freeze the flesh around a wound, usually to close off or clean the wound.

(verb)

When the doctor burns the flesh around a wound to force a scar to form and bleeding to stop, this is an example of when the doctor cauterizes the wound.

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See cauterize in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb cauterized, cauterizing

to burn with a hot needle, a laser, a caustic substance, or an electric current, so as to destroy dead or unwanted tissue, prevent the spread of infection, seal blood vessels, etc.

Origin: ME cauterizen < LL cauterizare < Gr kautēriazein < kautērion, kautēr, burning or branding iron < kaiein, to burn

Related Forms:

cauterization noun

See cauterize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb cau·ter·ized, cau·ter·iz·ing, cau·ter·iz·es

To burn or sear with a cautery.
To deaden, as to feelings or moral scruples; callous.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English cauterizen

Origin: , from Late Latin cautērizāre, to cauterize, brand

Origin: , from Latin cautērium, cautery; see cautery

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Related Forms:

cauˌter·i·zaˈtion (-tər-ĭ-zāˈshən) noun

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