Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for blistering on Thesaurus.com causing a blister or blisters . (especially of sunlight, heat, etc.) very severe or intense. very fast or rapid: a blistering pace. Show More
Origin of blistering First recorded in
1555–65; blister +
-ing2 Related forms blis·ter·ing·ly , adverb 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. Show More
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. Show More
verb (used without object) to form or rise as a blister or blisters; become blistered. Show More
Origin of blister 1250–1300; Middle English blister, blester <
Old Norse blǣstri, dative of
blāstr swelling. See
blast ,
blow2 Related forms re·blis·ter , verb un·blis·tered , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for blistering scalding ,
scorching ,
searing ,
sizzling ,
torrid ,
sweltering ,
fiery ,
heated ,
broiling ,
baking ,
roasting ,
burning ,
boiling ,
intense ,
red-hot ,
severe ,
blistery Examples from the Web for blistering Contemporary Examples of blistering It was a good day for the anniversary walk; sunny but not blistering .
Kudos to the voters for nominating Allison Janney and Beau Bridges for the blistering guest turns, too.
His novel The Last Magazine, published posthumously this month, is just like him: blistering , fun, insightful, and profane.
On whether he would pursue a similar case against Herman, Singer was more circumspect than his blistering letter of May 8.
We are a fiery generation, heated in our affection, feverish in our action, blistering in our scorn—and obsessed with being cool.
Historical Examples of blistering The doctors had vainly tried every remedy, iodine, blistering , and cauterising.
He enters the story on a blistering afternoon in the little town of Galeyville.
The iron about the wagons, and the chains were blistering to the touch.
In twenty the soles of his feet felt as if they were blistering .
His first wild thought was that the water was hot and was blistering him.
British Dictionary definitions for blistering (of weather) extremely hot (of criticism) extremely harsh Show More
Derived Forms blisteringly , adverb 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 Show More
to have or cause to have blisters (tr) to attack verbally with great scorn or sarcasm Show More
Derived Forms blistered , adjective blistery , 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 blistering n. 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 .
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v. "to become covered in blisters," late 15c.; "to raise blisters on," 1540s, from blister (n.). Related: Blistered ; blistering .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
A local swelling of the skin that contains watery fluid and is caused by burning, infection, or irritation. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
