English Explanatory Dictionary

blister

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small bubble between the layers of the skin that contains watery or bloody fluid and is caused by friction and pressure, burning, freezing, chemical irritation, disease, or infection.
  2. A swelling on a plant.
  3. Something applied to the skin to raise a blister; a vesicatory or other applied medicine.
  4. A bubble, as on a painted surface.
  5. An enclosed pocket of air, which may be mixed with water or solvent vapor, trapped between impermeable layers of felt or between the membrane and substrate.
  6. A type of pre-formed packaging made from plastic that contains cavities.
  7. A cause of annoyance.
  8. A form of smelted copper with a blistered surface.
verb
  1. To raise blisters on.
  2. To sear after blaching.
  3. To have a blister form.
  4. To criticise severely.
  5. To break out in blisters.

Pronunciation

/ˈblɪstə(ɹ)/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-blister.wav /ˈblɪstɚ/

Word forms

blister blisters blistering blistered

Etymology

From Middle English blister, from Old French blestre, from a Germanic source. Compare Middle Dutch blyster (“swelling”), Old Norse blastr (“a blowing”).

Synonyms

bleb blain vesicate

Derived words

antiblister beblister blister agent blister beetle blister blight blister cell blister fly blisterfoil blister lichen blisterlike blister machine blister pack blister plaster blister steel blistery blood blister fever blister microblister orange blister beetle shadow blister effect skin and blister striped blister beetle water blister
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