Where does “bruise” come from?
Bruise comes from Middle English bruisen, which derives from Proto-Indo-European bʰrews-, a root meaning to break or crush.
bruise (English): 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; to contuse
Definitions
- 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; to contuse
Ancestry of “bruise”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | bruisen | — |
| 2 | Old English | brȳsan | to break |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | brausijaną | to break; crush |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰrews- | to break |