SuaviloquyToday’s word

cauterize

Cauterize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cauterized; p. pr. & vb. n. Cauterizing.]

Etymology: [L. cauterizare, Gr. cautérised.. See cauter.]

1. To burn or sear with a cautery or caustic. Dunglison.

2. To sear, as the conscience. Jer. Taylor.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for cauterize; he lists it under burn.

He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.