blood
blood Lexical Profile
blood Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals, carrying oxygen and nutrients to and carbon dioxide and waste away from the tissues of the body.
"The nurse drew a small sample of blood to test the patient's cholesterol levels."
Family background, descent, or lineage, especially as shared by members of the same family or ethnic group.
"She was proud of her royal blood and spent years researching her family tree."
Temperament, emotional state, or natural disposition, especially as a seat of passion or vitality.
"They resolved the dispute calmly rather than acting in hot blood."
• verb
To initiate someone in a particular activity, sport, or profession by giving them their first practical experience.
"The coach decided to blood several young players from the academy during the pre-season tournament."
To stain, smear, or wet with blood.
"The chef accidentally blooded his white apron while preparing the roast beef."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Blood' is the noun referring to the vital fluid (pronounced /blʌd/), whereas 'bleed' (/bliːd/) is the standard verb meaning to lose blood; as a verb, 'to blood' is much rarer and primarily means to initiate someone into an activity.
• Rhymes for blood
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'blōd', deriving from Proto-Germanic '*blōdą', which may be related to the root of 'blow' and 'bloom' in the sense of thriving, swelling, or bursting forth.