[f. the vb.]
† 1. A breaking; a breach. Obs.
1441. Plumpton Corr., Introd. 60. In eschewing of blood-shedding and bruses of the Kings peace.
1530. Palsgr., 201/2. Brosyng or broose, briseure.
2. A hurt or injury to the body by a blunt or heavy instrument, causing discoloration but not laceration of the skin; a contusion.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 F ij. Yf in the parties rounde about ye vlcere there is eyther bruse, phlegmon, or other tumour.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 327. Wounds are most commonly made with sharp or piercing weapons, and bruises with blunt weapons.
1663–78. Butler, Hud., I. II. (1684), 104 (J).
| Th’ one arm’d with Metal, th’ other with Wood; | |
| This fit for bruise, and that for bloud. |
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 223, ¶ 4. The Bruises which they often received in their Fall.
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 1159. His costly gift, Hard-won and hardly won with bruise and blow.
b. Of a plant, fruit, or other body.
1678. N. Wanley, Wonders, III. xliv. § 18. 226/2. He … threw it with that force against the floor that the solidest metal would have received some damage or bruise thereby.
1770. Withering, Brit. Plants (1796), IV. 285. Pileus … nearly flat … thin at the edge, turning watery on the least bruise.
c. spec. A contusion or injury caused by jambing; Sc. in form brizz.
Mod. Sc. His hand has got a bad brizz under the wheel.
3. Comb., as bruise-like adj.; † bruise-root (see quot.); BRUISE-WORT.
1698. Newton, Papaver Corn., in Phil. Trans., XX. 263. Or Horned Poppy, with a Yellow Flower, vulgarly called in Hampshire, Squatmore, or Bruseroot.
1839–47. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., III. 908/1. The bruise-like swelling.
