The difference between Bruise and Contusion

When used as nouns, bruise means a purplish mark on the skin due to leakage of blood from capillaries under the surface that have been damaged by a blow, whereas contusion means a wound, such as a bruise, in which the skin is not broken, often having broken blood vessels and discolouration.


Bruise is also verb with the meaning: to strike (a person), originally with something flat or heavy, but now specifically in such a way as to discolour the skin without breaking it.

check bellow for the other definitions of Bruise and Contusion

  1. Bruise as a verb (transitive):

    To strike (a person), originally with something flat or heavy, but now specifically in such a way as to discolour the skin without breaking it.

  2. Bruise as a verb (transitive):

    To damage the skin of (fruit), in an analogous way.

  3. Bruise as a verb (intransitive):

    Of fruit, to gain bruises through being handled roughly.

    Examples:

    "Bananas bruise easily."

  4. Bruise as a verb (intransitive):

    To become bruised.

    Examples:

    "I bruise easily."

  5. Bruise as a verb (intransitive):

    To fight with the fists; to box.

  1. Bruise as a noun (medicine):

    A purplish mark on the skin due to leakage of blood from capillaries under the surface that have been damaged by a blow.

  2. Bruise as a noun:

    A dark mark on fruit caused by a blow to its surface.

  1. Contusion as a noun:

    A wound, such as a bruise, in which the skin is not broken, often having broken blood vessels and discolouration.

  2. Contusion as a noun:

    The act of bruising.

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