Main Entry: ¹bruise

Pronunciation: \ˈbrüz\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): bruised; bruis·ing

Etymology: Middle English brusen, brisen, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French bruiser, briser to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish bruid he shatters; Old English brȳsan to bruise; akin to Old Irish bruid, Latin frustum piece

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a archaic : disable b : batter, dent
2 : to inflict a bruise on : contuse
3 : to break down (as leaves or berries) by pounding : crush
4 : wound, injure; especially : to inflict psychological hurt on <a bruised ego>intransitive verb 1 : to inflict a bruise
2 : to undergo bruising <her skin bruises easily>