blister Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a flaw on a surface resulting when an applied substance does not adhere (as an air bubble in a coat of paint)
  2. noun (botany) a swelling on a plant similar to that on the skin
  3. noun (pathology) an elevation of the skin filled with serous fluid
    bulla; bleb.
  4. verb get blistered
    vesicate.
    • Her feet blistered during the long hike
  5. verb subject to harsh criticism
    scald; whip.
    • The Senator blistered the administration in his speech on Friday
    • the professor scaled the students
    • your invectives scorched the community
  6. verb cause blisters to form on
    • the tight shoes and perspiration blistered her feet

WordNet

Blis"ter noun
Etymology
OE.; akin to OD. bluyster, fr. the same root as blast, bladder, blow. See Blow to eject wind.
Definitions
  1. A vesicle of the skin, containing watery matter or serum, whether occasioned by a burn or other injury, or by a vesicatory; a collection of serous fluid causing a bladderlike elevation of the cuticle.
    And painful blisters swelled my tender hands. Grainger.
  2. Any elevation made by the separation of the film or skin, as on plants; or by the swelling of the substance at the surface, as on steel.
  3. A vesicatory; a plaster of Spanish flies, or other matter, applied to raise a blister. Dunglison.
Blis"ter intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Blistered present participle & verbal noun Blistering
Definitions
  1. To be affected with a blister or blisters; to have a blister form on.
    Let my tongue blister. Shak.
Blis"ter transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To raise a blister or blisters upon.
    My hands were blistered. Franklin.
  2. To give pain to, or to injure, as if by a blister.
    This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongue. Shak.

Webster 1913