verb

cauterize

KAW-tuh-ryz

verb

To seal a wound by burning it with heat or a chemical agent, usually to stop bleeding or prevent infection.

"The surgeon cauterized the incision to stop the bleeding."

How to Use Cauterize

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo seal a wound shut using heat, mainly a medical procedure.

Common pairings

cauterize a wound cauterize the skin

cauterized past tense, cauterizes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The surgeon _____ the incision to stop the bleeding.

From Late Latin cauterizare, "to burn with a hot iron," from Greek kauterion, "branding iron."

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