blister

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) 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. (countable, uncountable) A swelling on a plant.
3. (countable, uncountable) Something applied to the skin to raise a blister; a vesicatory or other applied medicine.
4. (countable, uncountable) A bubble, as on a painted surface.
5. (countable, uncountable) 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. (countable, uncountable) A type of pre-formed packaging made from plastic that contains cavities.
7. (countable, uncountable) A cause of annoyance.
8. (uncountable) A form of smelted copper with a blistered surface.

Verb

1. (transitive) To raise blisters on.
2. (transitive) To sear after blaching.
3. (intransitive) To have a blister form.
4. (transitive) To criticise severely.
5. (intransitive) To break out in blisters.

Synonyms

vesicle

bubble

bleb

boil

callus

pimple

swell

vesicate

swelling

bladder

bump

corn

🌽

bulla

scald

protuberance

water blister

cyst

spot

pustule

bulge

burn

whip

abscess

lump

blow up

carbuncle

blistered

bake

cauterize

clap

👏

callous

callosity

blemish

goitre

glow lamp

froth

ampulla

alveolar

foam

flake

blast

fire

🔥

explosion

fleck

bulb

💡

follicle

exploded

explode

bubbling

blain

Translations

ampoule

ampolla

vescica

Blase

bolla

cloque

bolha

blaar

φουσκάλα

Brandblase

cloquer

blaasje

butllofa

soffio

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈblɪstə(ɹ)/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: blister

Cognate with Middle Dutch: blyster

Cognate with Old Norse: blastr

In summary

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