cauterize /kô″tərīz/ [Gk, kauterion, branding iron] , 1. to burn tissues by thermal heat, including steam, hot metal, or solar radiation; electricity; or another agent such as laser or dry ice, usually with the objective of destroying damaged or diseased tissues, preventing infections, or coagulating blood vessels. See also chemical cauterization. 2. to apply a cautery; to perform cauterization.
