I. ˈbrüz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English brusen, brisen, from Middle French bruisier to break, shatter & Old English brȳsan to bruise, crush; Middle French bruisier of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish brūu I shatter, Middle Welsh breu brittle; Old English brȳsan akin to Old Irish brūu, Middle Welsh breu, Latin frustum piece, Albanian breshën hail
transitive verb
1.
a. archaic : to crush or mangle (as by a heavy blow) : disable
b. : batter , indent
bruise armor
2. : to inflict a bruise on : contuse
3. : to crush or break down (as by a severe blow or by pressure against a hard surface)
be careful not to bruise the tender tobacco leaves
bruise enough berries for a pint of juice
4. : wound , injure ; especially : to inflict psychological hurt on
a human spirit that has been bruised by the brutalities of the world — J.C.Powys
intransitive verb
1. : to inflict a bruise
hailstones are likely to bruise
2. : to bear or show the effects of a bruise : be susceptible to bruising
tomatoes bruise readily unless carefully handled
she bruises easily
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English bruse from brusen, v.
1. : an injury especially produced by a blow or collision that does not break the surface it injures: as
a. : 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
b. : a similar injury to a plant or fruit
2. : an abrasion or scratch on a surface (as of leather or rock)
3. : an injury or hurt (as to the feelings or the pride)
Synonyms: see wound