bruise Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
contusion.
verb injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of
contuse.
- I bruised my knee
verb hurt the feelings of
spite; injure; wound; hurt; offend.
- She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests
- This remark really bruised my ego
verb break up into small pieces for food preparation
- bruise the berries with a wooden spoon and strain them
verb damage (plant tissue) by abrasion or pressure
- The customer bruised the strawberries by squeezing them

OE. brusen, brisen, brosen, bresen, AS. brsan or fr. OF. bruiser, bruisier, bruser, to break, shiver, perh. from OHG. brochison. Cf. Break, v. t.

imperfect & past participle Bruised present participle & verbal noun Bruising

To injure, as by a blow or collision, without laceration; to contuse; as, to bruise one's finger with a hammer; to bruise the bark of a tree with a stone; to bruise an apple by letting it fall.
To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots, etc.; to crush.
Nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs. Shak.
Syn. -- To pulverize; bray; triturate; pound; contuse.

To fight with the fists; to box.
Bruising was considered a fine, manly, old English custom. Thackeray.

An injury to the flesh of animals, or to plants, fruit, etc., with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with some other body; a contusion; as, a bruise on the head; bruises on fruit.
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises. Isa. i. 6.