cauterize
/ˈkɔːtəraɪz/
verb
- To burn a wound or part of the body with a hot instrument or chemical to stop bleeding or prevent infection.
- The vet cauterized the small cut on the dog's paw to prevent infection.
- The doctor had to cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding.
- In medieval times, soldiers would cauterize their own injuries with a hot blade.
- To make something emotionally or psychologically numb or less sensitive, often as a way of coping with pain.
- Some people cauterize their memories of trauma to avoid the pain.
- After the breakup, she tried to cauterize her heart by focusing entirely on work.
- He learned to cauterize his feelings after years of disappointment.