Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-TU'SION, n. [s as z. L. contusio, from contundo; con and tundo, to beat; San. tud.]

1. The act of beating and bruising, or the state of being bruised.
2. The act of reducing to powder or fine particles by beating. – Bacon.
3. In surgery, a bruise; a hurt or injury to the flesh or some part of the body by a blunt instrument, or by a fall.