cauterize Definition
- 1to burn the skin or flesh of a wound with a heated instrument to stop bleeding or prevent infection
- 2to make something such as an idea or feeling less strong or powerful
Using cauterize: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cauterize" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The doctor cauterized the wound to stop the bleeding.
Example
The experience of war had cauterized his emotions.
Example
The harsh criticism cauterized her enthusiasm for the project.
cauterize Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with cauterize
to burn the skin or flesh of a wound with a heated instrument to stop bleeding or prevent infection
Example
The nurse will cauterize the wound to prevent further bleeding.
to make someone's emotions less strong or powerful, often due to traumatic experiences
Example
The trauma of losing his family in the accident had cauterized his emotions.
to solve a problem by taking drastic measures, often involving cutting off its source
Example
The company decided to cauterize the problem by firing the entire management team.
Origins of cauterize
from Greek 'kautērion', meaning 'branding iron'
Summary: cauterize in Brief
The verb 'cauterize' [ˈkɔːtəraɪz] has two meanings: to burn the skin or flesh of a wound with a heated instrument to stop bleeding or prevent infection, and to make something such as an idea or feeling less strong or powerful. It is often used in medical contexts, such as 'The doctor cauterized the wound to stop the bleeding,' but can also be applied to emotional or intellectual contexts, as in 'The experience of war had cauterized his emotions.'
