blister

[ blis-ter ]

/ ˈblɪs tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR blister ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

a relatively large bubble occurring in glass during blowing.

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

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

a dome or skylight on a building.

the moving bubble in a spirit level.

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.

verb (used with object)

to raise a blister or blisters on: These new shoes blistered my feet.

to criticize or rebuke severely: The boss blistered his assistant in front of the whole office.

to beat or thrash; punish severely.

verb (used without object)

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

Nearby words

blipping, blipvert, bliss, bliss out, blissful, blister, blister beetle, blister copper, blister gas, blister pack, blister rust

Origin of blister

1250–1300; Middle English blister, blester < Old Norse blǣstri, dative of blāstr swelling. See blast, blow²

Related forms

re·blis·ter, verbun·blis·tered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for blister

I ended up developing a blister on one of my vocal cords, so that kinda sucked.
Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll|James Joiner|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Blister rust is like having the flu; the pine beetle is like fast acting leukemia.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Briefly, blister rust is an Asian fungus introduced from Europe to America around 1900.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The formation of a blister is a vital process, and its success may be taken as a proof of the presence of life.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

The first impulse of every one is to pull it off, which is followed by a blister.
Notes and Queries, Number 185, May 14, 1853|Various
Blister leaned toward the Governor and whispered confidentially.
The Fighting Edge|William MacLeod Raine
There were now not only aching backs and arms and legs, but feet parboiled to a blister on the burning floors.
The Long Day|Dorothy Richardson
Iffen dey didn't do dey work dey git whip till dey have blister on 'em.
Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves|Work Projects Administration

British Dictionary definitions for blister

blister

/ (ˈblɪstə) /

noun

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

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

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

slang an irritating person

NZ slang a rebuke

verb

to have or cause to have blisters

(tr) to attack verbally with great scorn or sarcasm

Derived Forms

blistered, adjectiveblistery, adjective

Word Origin for blister

C13: from Old French blestre, probably from Middle Dutch bluyster blister; see blast

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for blister

blister

[ blĭs′tər ]

n.

A local swelling of the skin that contains watery fluid and is caused by burning, infection, or irritation.

blister

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of blister

Related forms

Examples from the Web for blister

British Dictionary definitions for blister

blister

noun

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for blister

Medicine definitions for blister

blister

n.