blister

[blis-ter]

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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.

Origin of blister

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

Related formsre·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

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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

Historical Examples of blister

Do not place the spit too near the fire, lest the skin should burn and blister.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
A blister should be employed as soon as possible, and mild emollient injections of gruel or barley water, till stools be obtained.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
For the pain in the head, a blister to the nape of the neck.
North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826
Various
If I have a sore throat, it would be useless to blister you for it: that is his idea.
The Soul of a People
H. Fielding
His face was yellowing again, under the blister of sun and alkali.
Warrior Gap
Charles King

British Dictionary definitions for blister

blister

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 Formsblistered, 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

Word Origin and History for blister

c.1300, perhaps via Old French blestre "blister, lump, bump," from a Scandinavian source (cf. Old Norse blastr "a blowing," dative blæstri "swelling"), or from Middle Dutch blyster "swelling;" perhaps from PIE *bhlei- "to blow, swell," extension of root *bhel- (2) "to blow, inflate, swell;" see bole.

"to become covered in blisters," late 15c.; "to raise blisters on," 1540s, from blister (n.). Related: Blistered; blistering.

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)

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Origin of blister

Examples from the Web for blister

Contemporary Examples of blister

Historical Examples of blister

blister

noun

verb

Word Origin for blister

blister

n.