bruise
bruise
(bruːz )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense bruises , present participle bruising , past tense, past participle bruised
1. countable noun
How did you get that bruise on your cheek?
She was treated for cuts and bruises.
2. verb
If you bruise a part of your body, a bruise appears on it, for example because something hits you. If you bruise easily, bruises appear when something hits you only slightly.
I had only bruised my knee. [VERB noun]
Some people bruise more easily than others. [VERB adverb]
bruised adjective
I escaped with severely bruised legs.
3. verb
If a fruit, vegetable, or plant bruises or is bruised, it is damaged by being handled roughly, making a mark on the skin.
Choose a warm, dry day to cut them off the plants, being careful not to bruise them. [VERB noun]
...bruised tomatoes and cucumbers. [VERB-ed]
Be sure to store them carefully as they bruise easily. [VERB adverb]
[Also VERB]4. verb [usually passive]
The government will be severely bruised by yesterday's events. [be VERB-ed]
Their egos are so easily bruised. [be VERB-ed]
bruising adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
...the bruising experience of near-bankruptcy.
