The destruction or searing of viable tissue by an agent; such as, heat, electricity, or a caustic chemical.

1. In surgery, a device used as the cauterizing agent: Professor Smart showed his students an actual cautery which was used to destroy abnormal tissue by burning, searing, or scarring.
2 The process of destroying tissue with a cauterant: Dr.Thompson used the method of actual cautery to burn away the infected tissues with a hot iron.

An application of a substance, such as liquid air or carbon dioxide snow, by the used of a low temperature instrument which causes destruction of tissue by freezing: By using extreme cold, cryocautery can cause the destruction of tissue as if by "burning" it.

1. The cauterization (burning) of tissue using electric current to generate heat.
2. The application of a needle or snare heated by electric current for the destruction of bodily tissue; such as, for removing warts or polyps and cauterizing small blood vessels to limit blood loss during a surgical procedure.