/broohz/ , v. , bruised, bruising , n.
v.t.
1. to injure by striking or pressing, without breaking the skin: The blow bruised his arm. Her pinching bruised the peaches.
2. to injure or hurt slightly, as with an insult or unkind remark: to bruise a person's feelings.
3. to crush (drugs or food) by beating or pounding.
4. Metalworking. to injure the surface of (an ingot or finished object) by collision.
v.i.
5. to develop or bear a discolored spot on the skin as the result of a blow, fall, etc.
6. to become injured slightly: His feelings bruise easily.
n.
7. an injury due to bruising; contusion.
[ bef. 900; ME bro ( o ) sen, bres ( s ) en, bris ( s ) en, bruisen, repr. OE brysan, bresan and AF bruser, OF bruisier, akin to briser to break; see BRISANCE ]