n.
Pronunciation: ' ko ̇ -t ə -r ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ter · ies
Etymology: Latin cauterium, from Greek kaut ē rion 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