Main Entry:

cau·tery

Pronunciation:

\ˈkȯ-tə-rē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural cau·ter·ies

Etymology:

Latin cauterium, from Greek kautērion branding iron, from kaiein

Date:

14th century

1 : the act or effect of cauterizing : cauterization 2 : an agent (as a hot iron or caustic) used to burn, sear, or destroy tissue