blister gas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized, Historical, Military, Technical
Quick answer
What does “blister gas” mean?
A chemical warfare agent that causes severe skin, eye, and mucosal blistering and burns upon contact.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical warfare agent that causes severe skin, eye, and mucosal blistering and burns upon contact.
A generic term for vesicant chemical agents, historically used in warfare. Figuratively, it can describe something that causes intense, spreading damage or pain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. 'Blister agent' is a slightly more common technical synonym in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly associated with the horrors of World War I and banned chemical warfare. Conveys images of disfigurement and inhumanity.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, appearing almost exclusively in historical, military, or political contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “blister gas” in a Sentence
The army used blister gas.Soldiers were attacked with blister gas.The treaty banned blister gas.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blister gas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The unit was ordered to blister-gas the enemy trenches.
- They feared being blister-gassed.
American English
- The forces were accused of blister-gassing the civilian population.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- The blister-gas canister was discovered intact.
- Blister-gas injuries require specialised care.
American English
- Blister-gas attacks are banned under international law.
- They conducted blister-gas drills.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and chemistry papers discussing chemical warfare.
Everyday
Virtually never used except in discussions of history or war crimes.
Technical
Used in military manuals, disarmament treaties (e.g., Chemical Weapons Convention), and medical texts on toxicology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blister gas”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blister gas”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blister gas”
- Using 'blister gas' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a blister gas'). It is uncountable.
- Confusing it with 'tear gas' (which irritates but does not blister).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mustard gas (sulfur mustard) is the most famous type of blister gas, but 'blister gas' is the broader category that includes other vesicant agents like lewisite.
Its use is banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention. While stockpiles may exist, any modern use would be a severe war crime and is extremely rare.
Yes, survival is possible, but exposure causes severe, painful injuries to the skin, eyes, and lungs, and can lead to long-term health issues and increased cancer risk.
Historically, these agents were delivered as an aerosol or vapor. The term 'gas' is a holdover from early chemical warfare terminology, even though the effective form is often tiny droplets of liquid.
A chemical warfare agent that causes severe skin, eye, and mucosal blistering and burns upon contact.
Blister gas is usually specialized, historical, military, technical in register.
Blister gas: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblɪstə ɡæs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblɪstər ɡæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms; the term itself is highly specific]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BLISTER caused by burning, and GAS that spreads it. Blister gas burns and blisters the skin like a terrible sunburn in aerosol form.
Conceptual Metaphor
WAR IS DISEASE / WEAPONS ARE TOXINS. The gas is conceptualized as a spreading, corrupting agent that causes the body to decay.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary effect of blister gas?