vesicant

American  

[ves-i-kuhnt] / ˈvɛs ɪ kənt /

adjective

1. producing a blister or blisters, as a medicinal substance; vesicating.

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noun

1. a vesicant agent or substance.

2. (in chemical warfare) a chemical agent that causes burns and destruction of tissue both internally and externally.

vesicant British  

/ ˈvɛsɪˌkeɪtərɪ, ˈvɛsɪkənt /

noun

1. any substance that causes blisters, used in medicine and in chemical warfare

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adjective

1. acting as a vesicant

Etymology

Origin of vesicant

1655–65; < New Latin vēsīcant- (stem of vēsīcāns ), present participle of vēsīcāre to vesicate; -ant

Compare meaning

How does vesicant compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• vesicant vs. irritant

Example Sentences

A chemical weapons expert told HRW the attacks caused painful burns to at least seven people, consistent with exposure to low levels of a chemical warfare agent known as 'vesicants', or blister agents.

From Reuters

The effects of vesicants are speedy, those of setons are remote; and I have seen fearful spectacles induced by their employment.

From Project Gutenberg

Neusser now produced a non-specific inflammatory bulla in the skin by a vesicant, and found that the cellular elements in it were exclusively the polynuclear neutrophil concerned in all ordinary inflammations.

From Project Gutenberg

Therapeutically it is used externally in leprosy, old ulcers and to destroy corns, but on account of its rubefacient and vesicant qualities it is necessary to use it cautiously.

From Project Gutenberg

Externally, vesicant; used in form of ointment, or tincture.

From Project Gutenberg