CHILBLAINS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does chilblains mean? 

• CHILBLAINS (noun)
  The noun CHILBLAINS has 1 sense:

1. inflammation of the hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and moisture

  Familiarity information: CHILBLAINS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHILBLAINS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Inflammation of the hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and moisture

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

chilblain; chilblains; pernio

Hypernyms ("chilblains" is a kind of...):

blain (an inflammatory swelling or sore)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chilblains"):

kibe (ulcerated chilblain on the heel)

 Context examples 

Our clothing was insufficient to protect us from the severe cold: we had no boots, the snow got into our shoes and melted there: our ungloved hands became numbed and covered with chilblains, as were our feet: I remember well the distracting irritation I endured from this cause every evening, when my feet inflamed; and the torture of thrusting the swelled, raw, and stiff toes into my shoes in the morning.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Mrs. Goddard's school was in high repute—and very deservedly; for Highbury was reckoned a particularly healthy spot: she had an ample house and garden, gave the children plenty of wholesome food, let them run about a great deal in the summer, and in winter dressed their chilblains with her own hands.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)