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bruise

bruise [ brooz ]


noun  (plural bruis·es)
Definition:
 
1. skin discoloration caused by injury: a tender area of skin discoloration caused by blood leaking from blood vessels damaged by pressure or impact

2. damage to plant tissue: damage to underlying plant or fruit tissue, visible as a soft discolored area on the unbroken surface and caused by pressure or impact

3. emotional injury: an injury that is not physical, e.g. hurt feelings or damaged self-esteem



verb  (past and past participle bruised, present participle bruis·ing, 3rd person present singular bruis·es)
Definition:
 
1. transitive and intransitive verb injure causing skin discoloration: to injure a part of the body, or sustain an injury, resulting in discoloration caused by blood leaking from damaged blood vessels

2. transitive and intransitive verb damage plant tissue: to damage plant tissue by pressure or impact, or sustain such damage, leaving a softened and discolored surface area

3. transitive verb upset somebody: to injure somebody's feelings or harm somebody's self-esteem
I was bruised by the criticism.

4. transitive verb cooking crush food: to crush or pound food, especially to extract juice from it or bring out its flavor

[Partly < Old English brȳsan "crush," and partly < Anglo-Norman bruser "break" < Germanic]
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