trench foot

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. injury of the skin, blood vessels, and nerves of the feet due to prolonged exposure to cold and wet, common among soldiers serving in trenches.

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trench foot British  

noun

1. a form of frostbite affecting the feet of persons standing for long periods in cold water

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Etymology

Origin of trench foot

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Constant moisture on feet and legs caused trench foot when the skin could not dry and began to split and come off.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

One week into the alt tour, he had gone from nursing blisters to fending off trench foot.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2021

“I’m seeing a lot of heat cases, prickly heat, a lot of foot cases - athlete’s foot and borderline trench foot - and a lot of exhaustion,” he said.

From Washington Times • Sep. 23, 2018

After Mr. Delligatti’s Army discharge during World War II — he developed trench foot in Europe — he managed a drive-through restaurant in Newport Beach, Calif., and co-founded a casual eatery in Pittsburgh.

From Washington Post • Nov. 30, 2016

On their feet they carried jungle boots—2.1 pounds — and Dave Jensen carried three pairs of socks and a can of Dr. Scholl’s foot powder as a precaution against trench foot.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien