blistering

[blis-ter-ing]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR blistering ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing a blister or blisters.

(especially of sunlight, heat, etc.) very severe or intense.

very fast or rapid: a blistering pace.

noun

the act or an instance of forming a blister or blisters.

a series or group of blisters, as on a painted surface.

Origin of blistering

First recorded in 1555–65; blister + -ing²

Related formsblis·ter·ing·ly, adverb

blister

[blis-ter]

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

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.
Philippe Petit’s Moment of Concern Walking the WTC Tightrope
Anthony Haden-Guest
August 8, 2014
Kudos to the voters for nominating Allison Janney and Beau Bridges for the blistering guest turns, too.
The Enraging Emmy Nominations: 20 Snubs and Surprises
Kevin Fallon
July 10, 2014
His novel The Last Magazine, published posthumously this month, is just like him: blistering, fun, insightful, and profane.
Michael Hastings' Hunger for Life
Jack Gray
June 14, 2014
On whether he would pursue a similar case against Herman, Singer was more circumspect than his blistering letter of May 8.
Third Hollywood Power Player Files Motion to Dismiss Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Tim Teeman
May 22, 2014
We are a fiery generation, heated in our affection, feverish in our action, blistering in our scorn—and obsessed with being cool.
P.J. O’Rourke on Grabbing the Keys to Happiness
P. J. O’Rourke
January 24, 2014

Historical Examples of blistering

The doctors had vainly tried every remedy, iodine, blistering, and cauterising.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
He enters the story on a blistering afternoon in the little town of Galeyville.
When the West Was Young
Frederick R. Bechdolt
The iron about the wagons, and the chains were blistering to the touch.
A Gold Hunter's Experience
Chalkley J. Hambleton
In twenty the soles of his feet felt as if they were blistering.
Sand Doom
William Fitzgerald Jenkins
His first wild thought was that the water was hot and was blistering him.
The Rainy Day Railroad War
Holman Day

British Dictionary definitions for blistering

blistering

adjective

(of weather) extremely hot

(of criticism) extremely harsh

Derived Formsblisteringly, adverb

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 blistering

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.

blistering in Medicine

blistering

[blĭs′tər-ĭng]

n.

vesiculation

blister

[blĭs′tər]

n.

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