I. ˈblistə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English blester, blister, modification of Old French or Middle Dutch; Old French blostre boil, pustule, from Middle Dutch bluyster blister; akin to Old English blǣst blast — more at blast
1. : an elevation of the epidermis containing watery liquid or serum : bleb , bulla
2. : an enclosed raised spot on the surface of an organism caused by the separation of skin or other covering (as one resulting from a bruise on a plant)
3. : an agent that causes a blister (as a blistering plaster)
4. : a flaw on a surface caused by nonadherence or by separation of an applied substance: as
a. : a nodule on a painted surface filled with air, solvent, or water
b. : an elevated layer of rock resulting from the flow of molten rock into low wet areas and the generation of steam pockets
c. : blister pearl
d. : a fault in plywood or veneer resulting from failure to obtain uniform binding of the surface layer
e. : a large bubble in glass
f. : a spot of emulsion in a photographic film or plate loosened from its base in processing
g. : a rounded elevation on the surface of metal caused by expansion of gas within or through the subsurface metal while it is hot or plastic
5. : an oyster smaller than a quarter dollar
6. : blister copper
7.
a. : a disease of plants caused by ascomycetous fungi (genus Taphrina ) that produce large swollen patches on the leaves (as that of the pear caused by T. bullata )
b. : any of various similar diseases (as a nonparasitic disorder of the apple) — see blister blight , blister canker , blister spot
8. : any of various structures that bulge out from the main mass of which they are part: as
a. : a watertight compartmented structure applied to the hull of certain vessels especially below the waterline to offer added protection (as against torpedoes or mines)
b. : a gunner's or observer's compartment protruding from the fuselage of an airplane and often covered by a transparent dome
c. : a glass observation dome built into and protruding above the roof of a railroad car
d. : a housing for a radar antenna — see radome
9. slang : person ; especially : bag I 5 — usually used disparagingly
II. verb
( blistered ; blistered ; blistering ˈblist(ə)riŋ ; blisters )
Etymology: Middle English blisteren, from blister, n.
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become affected with blisters
lips will blister and chap in the wind
b. : to raise a blister
that sauce is hot; it positively blisters
2. : to have or take on the form of a blister
the trumpeter's cheeks were blistering like a child's balloon
transitive verb
1.
a. : to raise a blister on
she blistered her hand with hot grease
: cause a blister to form on
the hot sun will blister the paint
b. : to treat by blistering or by means of blisters — now usually restricted to veterinary usage
the doctor physicked him, and bled him, and blistered him, but he lived all the same
2. : to affect as if to the point of raising blisters:
a. : to administer severe physical punishment to especially by whipping or beating
get in here this minute or I'll blister your bottom when you do
b. : to scorch with words (as in anger or contempt) : censure harshly : excoriate
the sergeant blistered the men and set them to drilling again