Main Entry: ac·tu·al cautery Pronunciation: 'ak-ch(&-w)&l-, 'aksh-w&l- Function: noun : an agent (as a hot iron, electrocautery, ormoxa) used to destroy tissue by heat called also thermocautery; —compare POTENTIAL CAUTERY
actual cautery ac·tu·al cautery (āk'ch&oomacr;-əl) n. An agent or process, such as electrocautery or a hot iron, that cauterizes tissue using heat and not a chemical means.
