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Bruise vs Contuse - What's the difference?

bruise | contuse |

In transitive terms the difference between bruise and contuse

is that bruise is to damage the skin of (fruit), in an analogous way while contuse is to injure without breaking the skin; to bruise.

As a noun bruise

is a purplish mark on the skin due to leakage of blood from capillaries under the surface that have been damaged by a blow.

bruise

English

(wikipedia bruise)

Alternative forms

* bruize (obsolete)

Verb

(bruis)
  • 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 damage the skin of (fruit), in an analogous way.
  • Of fruit, to gain bruises through being handled roughly.
  • Bananas bruise easily.
  • To become bruised.
  • I bruise easily.
  • To fight with the fists; to box.
  • * Thackeray
  • Bruising was considered a fine, manly, old English custom.

    Derived terms

    * bruiser * bruising

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (medicine) A purplish mark on the skin due to leakage of blood from capillaries under the surface that have been damaged by a blow.
  • A dark mark on fruit caused by a blow to its surface.
  • Synonyms

    * (medical) ecchymosis, contusion (technical term ) * See also

    Anagrams

    * * * English ergative verbs ----

    contuse

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To injure without breaking the skin; to bruise.
  • * 1869 , St Louis Medical Society, The Medical Archives , vol. III:
  • How many uteruses, vaginas and perineums, suppose you, would we have to contuse and lacerate before we acquired the amount of skill and dexterity to which the gentlemen who advocate the forceps have attained?
  • * 1965 , John Fowles, The Magus :
  • His mouth had been struck or kicked. The lips were severely contused , reddened.
  • * 2008 , Donald Macleod, The Guardian , 2 Nov 2008:
  • This would have to be followed by a calculation of 'reasonable force', knowing that any bruising, scratching or contusing would expose me to a charge of assault.