blister

[ blis-ter ]

noun

1. a thin vesicle on the skin, containing watery matter or serum, as from a burn or other injury.
2. any similar swelling, as an air bubble in a coat of paint.
3. a relatively large bubble occurring in glass during blowing.
4. Military. a transparent bulge or dome on the fuselage of an airplane, usually for mounting a gun.
5. Photography. a bubble of air formed where the emulsion has separated from the base of a film, as because of defective processing.
6. a dome or skylight on a building.
7. the moving bubble in a spirit level.
8. 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)

1. to raise a blister or blisters on:

   These new shoes blistered my feet.

2. to criticize or rebuke severely:

   The boss blistered his assistant in front of the whole office.

3. to beat or thrash; punish severely.

verb (used without object)

1. to form or rise as a blister or blisters; become blistered.

blister

/ ˈblɪstə /

noun

1. a small bubble-like elevation of the skin filled with serum, produced as a reaction to a burn, mechanical irritation, etc
2. a swelling containing air or liquid, as on a painted surface
3. a transparent dome or any bulge on the fuselage of an aircraft, such as one used for observation
4. slang.
   an irritating person
5. slang.
   a rebuke

verb

1. to have or cause to have blisters
2. tr to attack verbally with great scorn or sarcasm

Derived Forms

• ˈblistered, adjective
• ˈblistery, adjective

Other Words From

• re·blister verb
• un·blistered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blister¹

1250–1300; Middle English blister, blester < Old Norse blǣstri, dative of blāstr swelling. See blast, blow ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of blister¹

C13: from Old French blestre , probably from Middle Dutch bluyster blister; see blast

Example Sentences

A neighbour said she heard two blistering rows, involving one in which a woman "sounded scared", days before Ms Brella's body was found.

From BBC

While showing little self-regulation on issuing blistering attacks on politicians he does not like, Musk has only kind words for Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping.

From Los Angeles Times

Nadal, with his blistering left-handed forehand and fiery celebratory roars, ended his Swiss opponent's five-year winning streak at Wimbledon in the 2008 final - regarded by many as the greatest match of all time.

From BBC

Financial markets greeted Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election with a blistering rally.

From BBC

In a blistering statement shared by the Vermont senator on X on Wednesday, Sanders said the party has "abandoned working class people."

From Salon

Related Words

• abscess
• cyst
• pimple
• sore
• ulcer
• welt