Contuse

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /kÉ™nˈtjuːz/

Origin

From (the participle stem of) Latin contundere ("pound or beat small"), from com- + tundere ("beat, thump").

Full definition of contuse

Verb

1. (transitive) To injure without breaking the skin; to bruise.
• 1869, St Louis Medical Society, The Medical Archives, vol. III:How many uteruses, vaginas and perineums, suppose you, would we have to contuse and lacerate before we acquired the amount of skill and dexterity to which the gentlemen who advocate the forceps have attained?
• 1965, John Fowles, The Magus:His mouth had been struck or kicked. The lips were severely contused, reddened.
• 2008, Donald Macleod, The Guardian, 2 Nov 2008:This would have to be followed by a calculation of 'reasonable force', knowing that any bruising, scratching or contusing would expose me to a charge of assault.