kibe
/kaib/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A kibe is an ulcerated or inflamed sore, specifically a chilblain, that forms on the heel. It is a painful, often cracked or broken area of skin caused by exposure to cold and damp conditions.
Usage
The word "kibe" is a specific, somewhat archaic or literary term for a type of foot sore. It is rarely used in everyday modern conversation but may appear in historical or descriptive medical contexts.
Examples
- Walking barefoot in the frost gave him a painful kibe on his heel.
- The old medical text described remedies for chilblains and kibes.
- His kibes were so severe they made every step an agony.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: Historically, the phrase "to tread/step on someone's kibes" was used figuratively to mean to offend someone's sensibilities or to hurt their feelings, much like stepping on a tender sore spot.
- Example: His harsh criticism trod upon the kibes of her pride.
Variants and Related Words
- Chilblain (n): The more common modern term for the same condition—a painful, itchy swelling on the skin, typically on the hands or feet, caused by poor circulation in reaction to cold.
- Ulcer (n): An open sore on an external or internal surface of the body.
- Sore (n): A raw or painful place on the body.
Synonyms
- Chilblain
- Pernio (medical term)
- Inflammation
- Sore
Notes
"Kibe" is not used to form common phrasal verbs or idioms in contemporary English. Its primary use is the literal noun form or the historical figurative phrase mentioned above.
Noun
- ulcerated chilblain on the heel