Definitions

1. noun

a caustic substance applied to a wound to destroy or kill tissue, especially to prevent gangrene

“The surgeon applied a cauter to the infected wound to prevent further infection.”

2. verb

to treat or kill tissue with a caustic substance, especially to prevent gangrene

“The wound needed to be cauterized to prevent it from becoming septic.”

3. noun

an ancient medical instrument used for cauterizing

“The archaeologists discovered an ancient cauter in the museum’s collection.”