n.
Pronunciation: ' bl ə d
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bl ō d; akin to Old High German bluot blood
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1) : the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body (2) : a comparable fluid of an invertebrate b : a fluid resembling blood
2 : the shedding of blood also : the taking of life
3 a : LIFEBLOOD broadly : LIFE b : human stock or lineage especially : royal lineage <a prince of the blood > c : relationship by descent from a common ancestor : KINSHIP d : persons related through common descent : KINDRED e (1) : honorable or high birth or descent (2) : descent from parents of recognized breed or pedigree
4 a : blood regarded as the seat of the emotions : TEMPER b obsolete : LUST c : a showy foppish man : RAKE
5 : members of a team, staff, or organization : PERSONNEL <a company in need of new blood >
6 : a black American male ― used especially among blacks
– in one's blood : ingrained in one's nature : occurring as an innate or seemingly hereditary principle, inclination, or talent <with two parents who are painters, art is in her blood >