vesicant

[ ves-i-kuhnt ]

adjective

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

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

/ ˈvɛsɪˌkeɪtərɪ; ˈvɛsɪkənt /

noun

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

adjective

1. acting as a vesicant

Word History and Origins

Origin of vesicant¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vesicant¹

C19: see vesica

Example Sentences

“Weaponized vesicants, nerve agents and toxic industrial compounds are suspected to have been considered under the program.”

From Washington Post

Trying to insert central lines and then have vesicant drugs infiltrate into tissues is torture.

From New York Times

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

Two independent chemical weapons experts agreed the injuries seen were consistent with a chemical attack, with symptoms pointing to vesicant or blister agents.

From BBC

But soon all sides had turned to gases which maimed even soldiers wearing a mask - blistering agents, or "vesicants".

From BBC