blister

American  

[blis-ter] / ˈblɪs tər /

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 British  

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• blistered adjective
• blistery adjective
• reblister verb
• unblistered adjective

Etymology

Origin of blister

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

Example Sentences

San Antonio got off to a blistering start with Julian Champagnie scoring 15 points, including four three-pointers, in a devastating first quarter display as the Spurs surged into a 31-21 lead.

From Barron's

Radar data from inside the ice shows what appears to be a blister beneath the surface, pushing the glacier upward at that location.

From Science Daily

The main feature is an itchy, spotty rash which blisters then scabs over.

From BBC

Equivalent contracts for silver topped $72 an ounce, continuing a blistering rally in which prices have more than doubled this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lindsey Vonn, 41 and with titanium implants in her knee, shocked the world with a downhill victory at a blistering pace in her first World Cup race in five years.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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