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