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Bruise

An injury to the flesh of animals, or to plants, fruit, etc, with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with some other body; a contusion; as, a bruise on the head; bruises on fruit. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises. (isa. I. 6)

1. To injure, as by a blow or collision, without laceration; to contuse; as, to bruise one's finger with a hammer; to bruise the bark of a tree with a stone; to bruise an apple by letting it fall.

2. To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots, etc.; to crush. Nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs. (Shak)

Synonym: to pulverize, bray, triturate, pound, contuse.

Origin: oe. Brusen, brisen, brosen, bresen, as. Brsan or fr. OF. Bruiser, bruisier, bruser, to break, shiver, perh. From OHG. Brochison. Cf. Break.