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

Balega’s Blister Resist Quarter might just be the perfect hiking and walking sock.

From Los Angeles Times

I have never had a blister with these bad boys on, even when hiking with wet feet after trudging through river crossings.

From Los Angeles Times

"When he took his t-shirt off, he'd started to blister," Natalie said.

From BBC

“Someone would have to blister a few laps,” the Hall of Fame coach said.

From Los Angeles Times

Clad in stripper heels and ultra-short skirts, Liane stalks parking lots and street corners selling pilfered department-store perfume until her feet blister; aggressively pursues unscripted opportunities; and never misses the chance to create content, whether out with her friends or posed perfectly before her ring light.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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