bruise

Everyday

1. A purple, blue or dark mark on the skin caused by a bump or knock that breaks tiny blood vessels underneath without breaking the skin. tree →
2. A soft, brown, damaged spot on fruit, like a bruise on an apple. tree →
3. As a verb, to get or give a bruise: I bruised my arm. tree →

In the lessons

In science and first aid, a bruise happens when blood leaks from tiny vessels under the skin; it changes colour as it heals, from red or purple to blue, then green and yellow, over about two weeks. A cold pack wrapped in a cloth helps reduce swelling and pain. Tell an adult about bruises that come without a reason or someone who hurts you. In everyday life, handle fruit gently so it doesn't bruise. Phrases: "a nasty bruise", "black and blue", "bruised knee", "bruised ego/feelings".

Examples

• I got a big bruise on my leg when I fell off my bike. tree →
• The bruise turned green and yellow as it healed. tree →
• Put a cold pack on the bruise. tree →
• Don't drop the bananas or they'll bruise. tree →
• My shin is bruised from football. tree →
• This apple has a brown bruise on one side. tree →
• Bruises usually fade in a week or two. tree →
• Her feelings were bruised when nobody picked her. tree →
• “The doctor has ordered it because I have bruised my foot.” tree →

Note

Spelling: b-r-u-i-s-e (the "ui" sounds like "oo"). Regular verb: bruised, bruising. Do not confuse with "brew" or "browse". A bruise is not the same as a cut: the skin is not broken. "Black and blue" means covered in bruises.

In Jewish tradition

In Genesis, God says the snake and the woman's offspring will bruise each other, head and heel. In Leviticus, bruised animals cannot be offered. Ezekiel uses bruised breasts as a picture of Israel's early unfaithfulness, and Isaiah says the servant of God will not break a bruised reed.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the verse as a struggle between good and evil. Animals bruised or crushed are unfit for offering, since offerings must be whole. The rabbis read the bruised reed in Isaiah as a promise that God's servant treats the weak with gentleness.

Examples

• That which hath its stones bruised, or crushed, or torn, or cut, ye shall not offer unto the LORD; neither shall ye do thus in your land. (Torah LEV.22.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; they shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise their heel.' (Torah GEN.3.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Lamech said unto his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech; for I have slain a man for wounding me, and a young man for bruising me; (Torah GEN.4.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• and they committed harlotries in Egypt; they committed harlotries in their youth; there were their bosoms pressed, and there their virgin breasts were bruised. (Prophets EZK.23.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thus thou didst call to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, when they from Egypt bruised thy breasts for the bosom of thy youth. (Prophets EZK.23.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• A bruised reed shall he not break, and the dimly burning wick shall he not quench; he shall make the right to go forth according to the truth. (Prophets ISA.42.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: b-r-u-i-s-e (the "ui" sounds like "oo"). Regular verb: bruised, bruising. Do not confuse with "brew" or "browse". A bruise is not the same as a cut: the skin is not broken. "Black and blue" means covered in bruises.