bruise Definition

bruise
noun

1. An area of skin discoloration and swelling caused by the leakage of blood from damaged blood vessels following injury. Technical equivalent contusion.

Thesaurus: contusion, blemish, discolouration, injury, mark, shiner (slang), swelling.
2. A similar injury to a fruit or plant, shown as a soft discoloured area.

verb bruised, bruising

1. To mark and discolour (the surface of the skin or of a fruit, etc) in this way.

Thesaurus: blacken, discolour, blemish, wound, hurt.
intr
2. To develop bruises.

Example: I bruise easily
tr & intr
3. To hurt or be hurt emotionally or mentally.

Thesaurus: grieve, insult, offend, wound.
4. cookery.
To crush or pound (eg berries, leaves, or other foods), generally to release the juices or flavour.

Derivative: bruised
adj

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon brysan to crush, merged with French bruisier to break.