bruised

UK: bruːzd | US: bruːzd

Definition

  1. adj. (of tissue) damaged by a blow or pressure, resulting in discoloration without breaking the skin

  2. v. (past tense of bruise) to inflict such damage

Structure
bruise <to injure without breaking skin>ed <past tense suffix>
Etymology

The word bruise traces back to Old English brȳsan ("to crush, injure"), likely of Germanic origin. Over time, its meaning narrowed to describe superficial tissue damage causing discoloration. The suffix -ed marks the past tense or adjectival form, preserving the core idea of injury while specifying its state (already occurred).

Examples

  1. Her bruised knee ached after the fall.

  2. The apples were badly bruised during transport.

  3. He bruised his ego when he failed the audition.

  4. The boxer’s face was heavily bruised after the match.

  5. Handle the peaches gently to avoid bruising them.