1. to burn or sear tissue with heat or chemicals, especially to stop bleeding or prevent infection
Usage: medical

Examples

• The surgeon had to cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding.
• Ancient physicians would cauterize injuries with hot metal instruments.
• The doctor used an electric current to cauterize the small blood vessels.
• They decided to cauterize the cut rather than use stitches.
• The veterinarian will cauterize the incision to prevent infection.
• Medieval healers often cauterized wounds with heated irons.