Bruise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bruised; p. pr. & vb. n. Bruising.]
Etymology: [OE. brusen, brisen, brosen, bresen, AS. br or fr. OF. bruiser, bruisier, bruser, to break, shiver, perh. from OHG. brochison. 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.
2. To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots, etc.; to crush. Nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs. Shak.
Syn. -- To pulverize; bray; triturate; pound; contuse.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Bruise, v. i.
To fight with the fists; to box. Bruising was considered a fine, manly, old English custom. Thackeray.
Bruise, 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. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises. Isa. i. 6.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for bruise; he lists it under beat.
Where he writes about it:
To batter and to bruise refer to the results of beating; that is battered which is broken or defaced by repeated blows on the surface (compare synonyms for SHATTER); that is bruised which has suffered even one severe contusion. — from beat