Medicine. Designating (the use of) a cauterizing agent other than a red-hot implement, esp. a caustic substance; contrasted with actual (cf. cautery…

Medicine. A corrosive drug, remedy, etc.; a caustic, escharotic, etc.

= corrosive, n. (usually figurative)

Medicine. A substance which burns and destroys living tissue when brought in contact with it. commonor lunar caustic: nitrate of silver prepared…

= corrosive, n.

Medicine. A corrosive agent. Also figurative.

= caustic, n. 1.

An escharotic drug; a powerful caustic.

= escharotic, n.

A heated metallic instrument used for burning or searing organic tissue; also a caustic drug or medicine for the same purpose. The former is…

A corrosive agent.

see quot. 1890.

Having power to destroy, reduce or consume; corrosive. As n.: An agent for consuming superfluous flesh: a name given to the milder caustics.