Contused Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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contused

[kənˈtjuːzd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

medical

Having a bruise or contusion; injured by a blow or impact and often showing discoloration.

Synonyms

bruised, discolored, injured.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
contused	Typically used in medical or formal contexts to describe an injury where the skin is not broken but there is damage to the underlying tissue, often accompanied by swelling and pain. The athlete was diagnosed with a contused muscle after the game The report mentioned a contused area on the patient's leg
bruised	Commonly used in everyday language to describe a mark on the skin caused by a blow or bump that breaks the underlying blood vessels, leading to discoloration and tenderness. She had a bruised arm after bumping into the table He noticed a bruised spot on his knee after the fall
injured	A broad term that can be used to describe any kind of harm or damage to the body, which can include cuts, bruises, contusions, or fractures. It carries a neutral to negative connotation. The player was injured during the match and had to be taken off the field An injured worker received first aid after the accident
discolored	This term is more general and can refer to any change in color, not necessarily caused by an injury. It can be used to describe skin, objects, or other surfaces that have changed color. The fruit was discolored due to prolonged exposure to sunlight She observed that her skin looked discolored after the treatment

Examples of usage

He had a contused arm after falling off his bike.
The contused area on her forehead was starting to swell.
The contused skin was tender to the touch.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

medical

To injure (a part of the body) without breaking the skin, resulting in bruising or discoloration.

Synonyms

bruise, hurt, injure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
contused	Usually employed in medical or formal settings to describe an injury involving damage to soft tissues without breaking the skin. The patient presented with a contused muscle. After the accident, her arm was severely contused but not broken.
bruise	Commonly used in everyday language to describe a mark on the skin caused by blood under the surface due to impact. I bumped into the table and got a bruise on my thigh. He had a big bruise after falling off his bike.
injure	Often used to describe more serious or significant harm to the body, and can be found in both everyday and formal language. He injured his leg in the football match. She was injured in a car accident.
hurt	A general term used in a variety of contexts to describe pain or injury, both physical and emotional. She hurt her ankle while running. His words really hurt me.

Examples of usage

She contused her knee when she fell down the stairs.
The impact contused the muscles in his leg.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Medicine

Contusions are common injuries in sports when players collide or fall.
While contusions are usually harmless, severe cases can cause internal bleeding and require medical attention.
A contusion can be more painful than it looks since the damage happens beneath the skin.

Psychology

People with trauma can experience emotional 'contusions', where past hurts leave lasting impressions on mental health.
The metaphor of being 'contused' can describe emotional or psychological bruising from experiences or relationships.

Literature

Contusions are often used metaphorically in literature to describe a character's internal pain and struggles.
In poetry, a contused heart can symbolize deep emotional scars and the aftermath of grief or loss.

Pop Culture

In movies, heroes often have contusions as a mark of resilience, showcasing the battles they've fought.
The portrayal of characters with visible bruises often signifies their struggle and growth in action and drama films.

Origin of 'contused'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'contusus', meaning 'to beat,' which is quite close to its meaning of getting hurt.
It’s related to the word 'contuse' which also means to bruise, originating from the Latin word 'contundere' meaning 'to crush'.

The word 'contused' originated from the Latin word 'contusus', which means bruised. It has been used in the medical field to describe injuries that result in bruising or discoloration. The concept of contusions has been known since ancient times, with treatments evolving over the centuries to better understand and care for such injuries.