Cau'ter-y, n.

n. [Lat. cauterium, Gr. καυτήριον. See CAUTER.] (Surg.) A burning or searing, as of morbid flesh, by a hot iron, or by caustic medicines that burn, corrode, or destroy any solid part of an animal body.

☞ The burning by a hot iron is called actual cautery; that by caustic medicines, potential cautery.