Definition of bruise
bruised
;bruising
transitive verb
2 : to inflict an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin or a similar injury to plant tissue : to inflict a bruise (see 2bruise 1) on : contuse bruised her arm when he grabbed her
3 : to break down (leaves, berries, etc.) by pounding : crush
4 : wound, injure; especially : to inflict psychological hurt on The professional and personal tumbles that have bruised your ego in the past 12 months are over. — New Woman
intransitive verb
1 : to inflict a bruise
2 : to bear or show the effects of a bruise : to undergo bruising her skin bruises easily
From the M-W Editors
Examples of bruise in a Sentence
She bruised her knee when she fell.
I don't want to bruise anyone's feelings.
Origin and Etymology of bruise
Middle English brusen, brisen, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French bruiser, briser to break, of Celt origin; akin to Old Irish bruid he shatters; Old English brȳsan to bruise; akin to Old Irish bruid, Latin frustum piece
bruise
Definition of bruise
Examples of bruise in a Sentence
He had a bad bruise on his leg after he fell.
a bruise on an apple
Origin and Etymology of bruise
noun derivative of 1bruise
BRUISE Defined for English Language Learners
bruise
playDefinition of bruise for English Language Learners
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: to cause a bruise on (part of a person's body, a piece of fruit, etc.)
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: to get a bruise
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: to hurt (someone's confidence, feelings, etc.) through speech or actions
bruise
Definition of bruise for English Language Learners
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: a dark and painful area on your skin that is caused by an injury
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: a dark area on a plant or piece of fruit that has been damaged
BRUISE Defined for Kids
Definition of bruise for Students
bruised
;bruising
: to injure the flesh (as by a blow) without breaking the skin
Definition of bruise for Students
: a black-and-blue spot on the body or a dark spot on fruit caused by an injury or damage
Medical Dictionary
bruise
Medical Definition of bruise
1: an injury transmitted through unbroken skin to underlying tissue causing rupture of small blood vessels and escape of blood into the tissue with resulting discoloration : contusion
2: an injury especially to the feelings
Learn More about bruise
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See words that rhyme with bruise Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bruise Spanish Central: Translation of bruise Nglish: Translation of bruise for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bruise for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bruise
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