BRUISE

I. verb (~d; bruising) Etymology: Middle English brusen, brisen, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French ~r, briser to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish bruid he shatters; Old English brȳsan to ~; akin to Old Irish bruid, Latin frustum piece Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. disable , batter , dent , to inflict a ~ on ; contuse, to break down (as leaves or berries) by pounding ; crush , wound , injure , intransitive verb to inflict a ~, to undergo bruising , II. noun Date: 1541 1. an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin ; contusion , a similar injury to plant tissue, abrasion , scratch , an injury especially to the feelings