chilblain

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an itchy, swollen patch of skin caused by an abnormal reaction to cold and damp conditions

   After walking in wet shoes, she developed painful chilblains on her toes.

Formed from chill + blain, an old word for a sore or blister; the compound therefore means literally 'a cold sore.' Chilblains differ from frostbite because the affected tissue has not frozen.

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