/ ˈblɪstə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a swelling on the surface of the skin that is filled with liquid and is caused, for example, by rubbing or burning
—see also fever blister
2.
a similar swelling, filled with air or liquid, on metal, painted wood or another surface
■ verb
1.
to form blisters ; to make sth form blisters :
[ v ]
His skin was beginning to blister.
[ vn ]
Her face had been blistered by the sun.
2.
[ v , vn ] when a surface blisters or sth blisters it, it swells and cracks
3.
[ vn ] ( NAmE ) to criticize sb strongly
► blis·tered adjective :
cracked and blistered skin
blistered paintwork
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : perhaps from Old French blestre swelling, pimple.