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Glite Dictionary
blistering agent

blistering agent

9.9
A harmful chemical that causes severe blisters on skin and damages eyes and lungs, often used as a weapon
  • noun
  • /ˈblɪstərɪŋ ˈeɪdʒənt/
  • NSFW
translation icon : agente ampollante
  • The laboratory is studying how a blistering agent breaks down in the environment after deployment.

Examples

  • Exposure to a blistering agent during warfare can cause severe burns and long-term respiratory problems.

  • Mustard gas is the most infamous blistering agent used in chemical warfare history.

  • The military used a blistering agent during the conflict.

  • Many soldiers suffered from exposure to blistering agents.

  • The military warned soldiers about the dangers of a blistering agent used in chemical warfare, which can severely harm the skin.

  • During the training session, they demonstrated how to identify a blistering agent and the precautions necessary to avoid exposure.

  • Authorities issued a safety alert regarding a blistering agent found in illegal munitions that could cause serious injuries to civilians.

Synonyms

mustard gas
vsblistering agent
  • NSFW
6 7.7

A poison gas used in war that causes painful blisters and damages the lungs

is the broader category for substances that cause severe blisters
mustard agent
vsblistering agent
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A very strong chemical weapon that causes severe blisters and harms the lungs and eyes

is the broader category for any toxic substances that cause severe blisters
sulfur mustard
vsblistering agent
  • NSFW
9.9

A poisonous chemical used in war that causes severe blisters and eye and lung damage

is the broader class of toxic substances causing such blisters and harm
dichloroethyl sulfide
vsblistering agent
  • NSFW
9.9

A very toxic gas used as a weapon that causes severe blisters and eye and lung damage

is the broader term for toxic substances that cause severe blisters and damage
vesicant
vsblistering agent
  • Specialized
9.9

A substance that causes blisters on the skin and inside the mouth or nose

is the specifically weaponized toxic form causing severe blisters and organ damage

Surface Forms

blistering agent singular
blistering agents plural

Morphology

blister + agent

The meaning is directly compositional: 'blister' (to cause raised fluid-filled bubbles) combined with 'agent' (a substance causing an effect) yields a substance that causes blisters. Although it is a technical/weaponized term, the adjective-from-verb + agent-noun pattern is transparent and a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the general meaning.

Etymology

Blistering agent comes from a simple picture: blistering means making blisters and agent is the thing that does it, so it describes a chemical that makes the skin form painful blisters. So the term is used for a toxic chemical used as a 'chemical weapon' that causes blisters and can damage the eyes and lungs.