To injure by a blow or by pressure without laceration; contuse, as a pliant substance; dent or beat in without breaking, as anything hard: as, to bruise the hand; a bruised apple; “his bruised shield,”To crush by beating or pounding; pound; bray, as drugs or articles of food.Figuratively, to beat down or oppress; cudgel, as the brain; scourge; damage.To fight with the fists; box.n. A contusion; a superficial injury caused by impact, without laceration, as of an animal body, a plant, or other impressible object.