Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Cauter

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

CAU'TER and CAUTE'RIUM (καυτήρ, καυτήριον). A cautery or branding iron, used by surgeons, veterinaries, and others, for branding cattle, affixing a stigma upon slaves, and similar purposes. (Pallad. i. 43. 3. Veget. Vet. i. 28.) The example (Cauter/1.1) represents an original, four inches long, which was discovered in a surgeon's house at Pompeii.

2. An instrument employed for burning in the colours of an encaustic painting; but as that art, as it was practised amongst the ancients, is now lost, it is impossible to determine the exact character of the instrument, or the precise manner in which it was used. Mart. Dig. 33. 7. 17. Tertull. adv. Hermog. 1.

• 
  Cauter/1.1