cauterize

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

cauterize
    v 1: burn, sear, or freeze (tissue) using a hot iron or electric
         current or a caustic agent; "The surgeon cauterized the
         wart" [syn: {cauterize}, {cauterise}, {burn}]
    2: make insensitive or callous; deaden feelings or morals [syn:
       {callous}, {cauterize}, {cauterise}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Cauterize \Cau"ter*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cauterized}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Cauterizing}.] [L. cauterizare, Gr. ?, fr. a
   branding iron: cf. F. caut['e]rised.. See {cauter}.]
   1. To burn or sear with a cautery or caustic. --Dunglison.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To sear, as the conscience. --Jer. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

26 Moby Thesaurus words for "cauterize":
      blaze, blister, brand, burn, burn in, burn off, cast, char, coal,
      crack, cupel, flame, found, oxidate, oxidize, parch, pyrolyze,
      scorch, sear, singe, solder, swinge, torrefy, vesicate, vulcanize,
      weld

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