Blains

/bleɪnz/ noun

Definition

Plural of blain; multiple blisters, boils, or sores on the skin.

Etymology

The plural form of 'blain' (Old English 'blegen'). Multiple skin afflictions were described collectively using this term in medieval and early modern English.

Kelly Says

The biblical plagues mentioned 'blains' as one of the ten curses on Egypt—it's a horrifyingly specific medieval word for 'covered in painful skin sores'!

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