bruise

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A bruise is a mark that appears on your skin after an injury, like a bump or a scrape. It's usually purple or blue and can take some time to go away.

When we get hurt, especially if it's just a minor bump or fall, our body might respond by turning the affected area into a bruise. This happens because of blood leaking from tiny broken blood vessels under our skin. The more severe the injury, the bigger and longer-lasting the bruise can be. Sometimes people get bruises even when they're not visible, like if their muscles get strained or pulled. In those cases, it's called an internal bruise or a muscle bruise.

How common is "bruise"?

Word bruise is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

verb

(transitive) To strike (a person), originally with something flat or heavy, but now specifically in such a way as to discolour the skin without breaking it; to contuse.
(transitive) To damage the skin of (fruit or vegetables), in an analogous way.
(intransitive) Of fruit or vegetables, to gain bruises through being handled roughly.
Example: Bananas bruise easily.
(intransitive) To become bruised.
Example: I bruise easily.
(intransitive) To fight with the fists; to box.
(transitive, figurative) To harm or injure somebody's feelings or self-esteem.
Example: Her thoughtless remarks bruised my ego.
(transitive) To impair (gin) by shaking rather than stirring.