contusion

bruise

noun kon-tyoo-ZYON Rare

Origin: Latin contusio (a bruising)

Also means

contusion

Usage Note

contusion is the medical/formal term for a bruise, used in clinical and legal contexts (contusion cérébrale — brain contusion). In everyday speech French speakers more often say un bleu (a blue) for a common bruise. The verb contusionner means to bruise.

Examples

"Il a une contusion à l'épaule droite."

Natural Translation

He has a bruise on his right shoulder.

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