cauterize/ˈkɔːtəraɪz/Third PersoncauterizesPresent ParticiplecauterizingPast TensecauterizedPast Participlecauterized1to burn or seal a wound or tissue, typically to prevent infection and stop bleedingIn traditional medicine, they often cauterize wounds to prevent infection.The surgeon had to cauterize a small blood vessel during the operation to stop the bleeding.Synonyms: burncauterise2make insensitive or callous; deaden feelings or moralsSynonyms: callouscauterise