Cauterization
/ˌkɔː.tə.raɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/noun
The process of burning tissue with heat or a caustic substance to destroy it or stop bleeding.
Did you know?The word comes from a Greek term for a branding iron, so its history is tied to scorching, sealing, and the power of fire used as medicine.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kautērion
“a branding iron or cauterizing instrument”
Late Latin
Latin
cauterium
“a cauterizing iron”
Old French
Old French
cauteriser
“to cauterize; burn with a hot iron”
14th Century
English
cauterisen
“to sear or burn a wound closed”
Modern English
English
cauterization
“the act or process of cauterizing”