bleeding

UK: ˈbliːdɪŋ | US: ˈbliːdɪŋ

Definition

  1. n. the process of losing blood, typically from an injury

  2. adj. (informal) used for emphasis, expressing annoyance or intensity (e.g., "bleeding obvious")

  3. v. present participle of "bleed"

Structure
bleed <to lose blood>ing <present participle suffix>
Etymology

The word "bleeding" derives from the Old English "blēdan," meaning "to emit blood," which is rooted in the Proto-Germanic "*blōdijaną." The core morpheme "bleed" retains its original sense of blood loss, while the suffix "-ing" marks it as a present participle or gerund. Over time, "bleeding" also acquired an emphatic slang usage in British English, intensifying adjectives (e.g., "bleeding brilliant").

Examples

  1. The wound kept bleeding despite the bandage.

  2. She applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

  3. "That's a bleeding shame!" he exclaimed.

  4. The doctor treated the bleeding promptly.

  5. His nose started bleeding after the punch.