blister

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a flaw on a surface resulting when an applied substance does not adhere, as an air bubble in a coat of paint

   Because I didn't prepare the surface properly, there are blisters in my new wallpaper.

2. 2
   verb

   to get blistered

   My feet blistered during the long hike.

3. 3
   verb

   to cause blisters to form on

   The tight shoes and perspiration blistered my feet.

4. 4
   verb

   to subject to harsh criticism

   The Senator blistered the administration in a speech on Friday.

5. 5
   noun

   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.

   Inspect them for rub marks and blisters; tape or bandage rub marks; clean the skin around a blister, use a sterilised needle to puncture it at its outer edge and press out the fluid, then bandage.

6. 6
   noun

   Something applied to the skin to raise a blister; a vesicatory or other applied medicine.

   'T is written in the Hebrew Chronicle, / How the physicians, leaving pill and potion, / Prescribed, by way of blister, a young belle, / When old King David's blood grew dull in motion, / And that the medicine answered very well […]

7. 7
   noun

   A type of pre-formed packaging made from plastic that contains cavities.

   blister card

8. 8
   noun

   A cause of annoyance.

   I couldn't help thinking how dashed happy I could have contrived to be in this place if only Aunt Agatha and the other blisters had been elsewhere.

Etymology

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