Definition

To heal a wound by forming scar tissue.

Example

The doctor said the cut will cicatrize in a few weeks.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you noticed how quickly your cut started to cicatrize?

Yeah, it’s amazing how the body heals itself.

I heard it can take a while for deeper wounds to cicatrize properly.

That’s true, but at least it’s nice to see progress over time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cicatrize → It is formed from "cicatrix" (from Latin "cicatrix", meaning scar) and the suffix "-ize" (meaning to make or to cause to become). The word "cicatrize" means to form a scar or to heal by forming a scar.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'scar' ('cicatrix') being 'made' ('-ize') during the healing process — that's why cicatrize means to heal by forming a scar.

Visually Confused Words