blister

[blis-ter]

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.

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 blistered

Contemporary Examples of blistered

Photographs leaked from inside Zeinhom morgue show charred and blistered bodies strewn on the floor.
Egypt Targets ‘Terrorists’ in Ongoing Violence
Sophia Jones
August 20, 2013
Grill or broil, turning occasionally, until the skins are black and blistered.
Into the Heart of Turkey
Sophie Menin
September 28, 2010

Historical Examples of blistered

I kissed the place; for I am sure it was blistered, as I may say, by a mother's tear!
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
So, he was bled and he was blistered, and he was this and that, for six whole days and nights.
The Uncommercial Traveller
Charles Dickens
My back is sore, and my hands are blistered with handling them to-day.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete
Albert Bigelow Paine
It was hot, and while it blistered the greedy palates, it seemed incredible.
The Nigger Of The "Narcissus"
Joseph Conrad
He is stone blind, poor fellow, and his feet are blistered and sore.
The Pearl of the Antilles, or An Artist in Cuba
Walter Goodman

British Dictionary definitions for blistered

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 blistered

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.

blister

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

Medicine definitions for blistered

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 blistered

Contemporary Examples of blistered

Historical Examples of blistered

blister

noun

verb

Word Origin for blister

blister

blister

blister

n.