Ecchymosed

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. The phenomenon characterized by the appearance of discoloration on the skin as a result of bleeding beneath the surface due to an injury or trauma
2. This condition involves a notable change in skin color marked by the presence of purple or blue patches resulting from blood pooling beneath the skin
3. Having skin areas showing purple or blue marks caused by blood leaking underneath due to injury

Etymology: The root of this word is a Greek image of fluid spilling out of its container. "Ekchymōsis" joins "ek," meaning "out," and "chymos," meaning "juice" or "liquid," a noun related to the verb "cheein," to pour. Doctors used the idea that blood escapes from vessels into the surrounding tissue, which is exactly what produces the mark. "Ecchymose" is the English verb built on that noun, and "ecchymosed" is its past form. So the word describes skin that has been affected in this way, showing the purple or blue discoloration where blood has pooled beneath the surface.