blister
/ˈblɪstə
/noun
1A small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused by friction, burning, or other damage: his heels were covered in blisters...
- Closely monitor your feet before and after exercise for any signs of potential damage, such as blisters, which can lead to ulcers if left untreated.
- Herpes sores usually look like blisters or cold sores.
- What that means is his skin blisters from the slightest friction.
Synonyms
bleb, bulla, pustule, vesicle, vesication, blain
1.1A swelling filled with air or fluid on the surface of a plant, heated metal, painted wood, etc. check for cracks and blisters in sheet roofing felt...
- Moisture blisters usually include all paint coats down to the wood surface.
- Mark the blister with spray paint and monitor it as part of the roofs routine maintenance.
- Let the blister and the surrounding wood dry thoroughly before adding glue.
Synonyms
bubble, swelling, bulge, bump, lump, protuberance;
cavity, hollow, void
1.2 Medicine, chiefly historical A preparation applied to the skin to form a blister.A physician was called, who soon after his arrival applied a blister to the throat and let another pint of blood....
- Today I have applied a blister to my stomach, or rather on my left side.
2British informal, dated An annoying person: the child is a disgusting little blister
verb [no object]
1Form blisters on the skin or other surface: the surface of the door began to blister (as adjective blistered) he had blistered feet...
- I could feel the skin there beginning to blister.
- My feet were beginning to blister, and my joints ached, but finally, tired and weary, I reached the final step.
- The pavement was hot and full of small stones, and his stocking feet began to blister.
1.1 [with object] Cause blisters to form on the surface of: a caustic liquid which blisters the skin...
- Spending too much time in the sun, or not using adequate protection can blister your skin and make it peel.
- The prosthesis rubs and pulls on my leg, blistering the skin.
- It damages the lungs and other internal organs, and blisters the skin and eyes.
Origin
Middle English: perhaps from Old French blestre 'swelling, pimple'.