Bruise \Bruise\ (br[udd]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bruised (br[udd]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Bruising.]

[OE. brusen, brisen, brosen, bresen, AS. br[=y]san or fr. OF. bruiser, bruisier, bruser, to break, shiver, perh. from OHG. brochis[=o]n. Cf. Break, v. t.]

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.

Syn: To pulverize; bray; triturate; pound; contuse.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)