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

Mustard was far & away the most important vesicant in the European arena.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is not generally known, however, that other vesicant compounds were employed, notably some of the arsenic compounds, and the Germans were researching on substances of this nature which gave great promise of success.

From The Riddle of the Rhine; chemical strategy in peace and war by Lefebure, Victor

Uses.—The leaves contain an irritant and acrid principle that renders them vesicant when applied to the skin.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers

The combination of the vesicant and persistent properties of mustard gas rendered it a powerful military factor.

From The Riddle of the Rhine; chemical strategy in peace and war by Lefebure, Victor

If little inflammation exists, the application of a vesicant two or three weeks after the injury has been inflicted will be helpful and serve to hasten repair.

From Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 by Lacroix, John Victor