ETYM Latin cauterium, Greek. Related to Cauter.
1. An instrument or substance used to destroy tissue for medical reasons (eg removal of a wart) by burning it with a hot iron or an electric current or a caustic or by freezing it.
2. The act of coagulating blood and destroying tissue with a hot iron or caustic agent or by freezing; SYN. cauterization, cauterisation.
Medical instrument used for searing wounds, etc.; use of such instrument cauterant.