v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bruised p. pr. & vb. n. Bruising. ] [ OE. brusen, brisen, brosen, bresen, AS. br&unr_;san or fr. OF. bruiser, bruisier, bruser, to break, shiver, perh. from OHG. brochisōn. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots, etc.; to crush. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To pulverize; bray; triturate; pound; contuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To fight with the fists; to box. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bruising was considered a fine, manly, old English custom. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An injury to the flesh of animals, or to plants, fruit, etc., with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with some other body; a contusion; as, a bruise on the head; bruises on fruit. [ 1913 Webster ]

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises. Isa. i. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. suffering from emotional injury; as, a bruised ego.
Syn. -- hurt, wounded. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. injured without breaking the skin; as, a cut forehead and bruised cheek.
Syn. -- contused, contusioned. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, bruises. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A boxer; a pugilist; hence, a strong, tough person; -- often used in the phrase
big bruiser. R. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like a new bruiser on Broughtonic sand,
Amid the lists our hero takes his stand. T. Warton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A concave tool used in grinding lenses or the speculums of telescopes. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A plant supposed to heal bruises, as the true daisy, the soapwort, and the comfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]