bruise
Definition
Bruise is a type of injury that occurs when blood vessels under the skin break. This can happen when you bump or hit yourself, or when you have a medical condition that makes your blood vessels more fragile. The blood that leaks out of the broken blood vessels collects under the skin, causing the characteristic purple or black colour of a bruise.
Bruises usually go away on their own in a few days, but there are some things you can do to help them heal faster.
How can the word be used?
The apple bruised when I dropped it.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
bruise (an injury to the skin that causes discoloured swelling).
Adjective:
bruised (having a bruise).
Verb:
to bruise (to cause a bruise).
Etymology
The word "bruise" comes from the Old English word bræws, which means "black and blue mark on the skin." The Old English word bræws is thought to be related to the Proto-Germanic word brūzǭn, which also means "black and blue mark on the skin.".
Question
Why might something bruise?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Define a "bruise" and explain how it forms in the body.
Answer:
A "bruise" is a discoloration of the skin caused by the rupture of blood vessels under the skin's surface, resulting in the leakage of blood into the surrounding tissue.
Formation of a Bruise:
When the body experiences an impact or injury, the force can cause blood vessels, such as capillaries, to break or burst. The leaked blood accumulates in the tissues beneath the skin, leading to the appearance of a bruise. Initially, the bruise may appear red or purple due to the presence of oxygenated blood. Over time, the body breaks down the leaked blood, and the bruise may change colors, turning green, yellow, or brown as the hemoglobin in the blood is broken down and reabsorbed by the body. As the healing process continues, the bruise gradually fades away. Bruises are a common occurrence and typically resolve on their own without specific medical treatment.