1. to burn or sear tissue with a hot instrument or chemical substance, typically to stop bleeding or remove diseased tissue
Usage: medical/surgical context; British spelling (American: cauterizes)
2. to make insensitive or unresponsive; to harden morally or emotionally
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The surgeon cauterises the wound to prevent excessive bleeding.
• A hot iron cauterises the tissue and seals the blood vessels.
• Years of rejection had cauterised his heart against further pain.
• The procedure cauterises the affected area to remove the growth.
• Repeated disappointment cauterises one's ability to hope.
• The doctor cauterises the lesion using a laser.
• His conscience had been cauterised by years of dishonesty.