Definition

Referring to a substance that causes blisters on the skin or mucous membranes.

Example

The doctor warned that the chemical was a vesicant and could cause serious skin damage.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new cream that can be vesicant?

Yeah, I read it's supposed to help with muscle pain.

I wonder if it really causes blisters like they say.

I guess it depends on how sensitive your skin is.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A substance that causes blisters on the skin or mucous membranes, often used in chemical warfare.

Example

Mustard gas is a well-known vesicant that can cause severe injuries to soldiers in combat.

Conversation

I read an article about how dangerous a vesicant can be in warfare.

Yeah, those chemicals can cause serious harm to anyone exposed.

It's shocking to think that people actually use vesicants as weapons.

Root Explanation

Vesicant → It is formed from "vesica" (from Latin, meaning bladder or blister) and "-ant" (a suffix used to form adjectives indicating an agent or something that performs an action). The word "vesicant" refers to a substance that causes blisters or fluid-filled sacs on the skin.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bladder' ('vesica') that can create 'blisters' — that's what a vesicant does, it causes blisters on the skin.

Visually Confused Words