blister

American  

[blis-ter] / ˈblɪs tər /

noun

1. a thin vesicle on the skin, containing watery matter or serum, as from a burn or other injury.

2. any similar swelling, as an air bubble in a coat of paint.

3. a relatively large bubble occurring in glass during blowing.

4. Military. a transparent bulge or dome on the fuselage of an airplane, usually for mounting a gun.

5. Photography. a bubble of air formed where the emulsion has separated from the base of a film, as because of defective processing.

6. a dome or skylight on a building.

7. the moving bubble in a spirit level.

8. a small blisterlike covering of plastic, usually affixed to a piece of cardboard and containing a small item, as a pen, bolt, or medicinal tablet.

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verb (used with object)

1. to raise a blister or blisters on.

   These new shoes blistered my feet.

2. to criticize or rebuke severely.

   The boss blistered his assistant in front of the whole office.

3. to beat or thrash; punish severely.

verb (used without object)

1. to form or rise as a blister or blisters; become blistered.

blister British  

/ ˈblɪstə /

noun

1. a small bubble-like elevation of the skin filled with serum, produced as a reaction to a burn, mechanical irritation, etc

2. a swelling containing air or liquid, as on a painted surface

3. a transparent dome or any bulge on the fuselage of an aircraft, such as one used for observation

4. slang an irritating person

5. slang a rebuke

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verb

1. to have or cause to have blisters

2. (tr) to attack verbally with great scorn or sarcasm

Other Word Forms

• blistered adjective
• blistery adjective
• reblister verb
• unblistered adjective

Etymology

Origin of blister

1250–1300; Middle English blister, blester < Old Norse blǣstri, dative of blāstr swelling. See blast, blow ²

Example Sentences

That deadly conflagration had left many residents, including those who fled Tehran for safer cities, shaken by the blistering attacks and cemented their attachment to their country.

From BBC

The in-form Smith, one of Australia's most experienced and best players against spin, was controversially omitted from the squad despite his blistering Big Bash League form as an opening batsman.

From Barron's

The in-form Smith, Australia's best player against spin, was controversially omitted from the squad despite his blistering Big Bash League form this year as an opening batsman.

From Barron's

Days into a recent training in northern Sweden, more than a dozen soldiers were sent home with cold-weather injuries ranging from boils and blisters to miscolored limbs.

From The Wall Street Journal

World champion Johnson was in tears as her gold medal was confirmed after she clocked a blistering time of one minute 36.10 seconds.

From BBC

Related Words

• abscess
• cyst
• pimple
• sore
• ulcer
• welt