Also 6–7 cautere. [a. F. cautère (Pr. cauteri, Sp. and It. cauterio), ad. L. cautērium, a. Gr. καυτήριον branding iron; or a. Gr. καυτήρ branding iron, f. καί-ειν to burn.] = CAUTERY 1 (to which 1534 may really belong).
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), S vj. The fistula, where against thou hast giuen cautere.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. (1579), 50. How many be there of actual cauters…?
1677. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, II. IV. 140. Having their conscience cauterised or marqued with a cauter.
1864. Daily Tel., 3 Aug., 5/4. The liberal appliance of the actual cauter, i.e., the red-hot iron.
1881. Syd. Soc. Lex., Cauter, an instrument for applying the actual cautery. Also, a liniment or application of a caustic character.
