bleed
noun (countable)
UK/bliːd/US/bliːd/
An instance of losing blood from the body as a result of injury or illness.
Example Sentences
He suffered a severe bleed from the wound on his arm.
The patient was rushed to the hospital after a sudden bleed caused by the injury.
A bleed in the engine can lead to significant mechanical failures if not addressed promptly.
The financial report shows a bleed in the company's operating expenses over the last quarter.
During the protest, a tear gas canister caused a bleed of smoke throughout the area, affecting nearby residents.
The leak in the pipeline resulted in a continuous bleed of oil into the river, harming the local ecosystem.
Engineers discovered a bleed in the hydraulic system, which required immediate repairs to prevent further damage.
In the medical study, researchers monitored the bleed rates among different treatment groups to assess efficacy.
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verb (transitive)
UK/bliːd/US/bliːd/
To lose blood from the body as a result of injury or illness; to flow or seep out of something, typically a liquid.
Example Sentences
She began to bleed profusely after the accident and needed immediate medical attention.
The pipe started to bleed water continuously, causing the basement to flood.
If you cut yourself, make sure to apply pressure to stop the bleed.
The injured hiker was bleeding from a deep gash on his leg, slowing his progress.
After the surgery, the patient had a minor bleed that was quickly controlled by the medical team.
The faucet began to bleed, dripping water into the sink even when turned off.
During the procedure, the surgeon carefully monitored the patient's bleed to prevent excessive blood loss.
The old house's roof began to bleed water during the heavy rainstorm, leading to ceiling damage.
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Synonyms
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How to Use
To lose blood or allow liquid/color to flow outward.“Bleed” functions primarily as a verb describing the release of blood or other substances. In human or animal contexts, it often refers to injury or illness causing blood flow: “He started to bleed after cutting his finger.” Medically, bleeding may require immediate attention if it’s heavy or continuous. Techniques like applying pressure or bandaging the wound help manage it. When not referring to blood, “bleed” can describe other liquids or colors leaking from one surface to another—like ink on paper that 'bleeds through.' In printing, 'bleed' indicates imagery extending beyond the edge of the page, ensuring no white margin when trimmed. You might also hear it metaphorically: “My heart bleeds for them,” expressing deep sympathy or sorrow. When using “bleed” in everyday conversation, context is critical. If you’re talking about a minor injury, you might say, “I pricked my finger, and it’s bleeding a bit,” while more serious situations—like someone who’s “bleeding profusely”—demand medical attention. In creative or metaphorical terms, “bleed” can underscore strong emotion: “Her poetry bleeds heartbreak,” suggesting raw, intense feeling. If you’re dealing with laundry or art, “That red dye might bleed onto the white fabric,” highlights color transfer. Whether literal, figurative, or technical (like design bleed areas), “bleed” implies something moving beyond its boundary—blood, color, or emotion. Clarity in context helps listeners or readers grasp the exact sense, from bodily harm to creative intensity or printing processes. The term thereby spans a wide range of scenarios, all rooted in the idea of escaping or seeping out from a contained space.
Alternatives
For different contexts, consider alternatives like 'hemorrhage' for significant medical bleeding. 'Seep' or 'leak' suit non-blood liquids, like ink or paint escaping their boundaries. If you want a more emotional emphasis, try 'pour out'—for instance, “Her sorrow pours out,” instead of “Her heart bleeds.” In printing or design discussions, you might choose 'extend' or 'overrun' to describe artwork that goes beyond the trim line. Terms like 'stain' or 'transfer' may also capture color bleeding when dye or pigment moves to an unintended surface. If you want to be less graphic about blood, you can say 'lose blood' or 'blood is coming out' in more delicate contexts. The right alternative depends on how technical, figurative, or gentle you wish to be. Switching terms can refine your tone—whether clinical, poetic, or practical—ensuring you convey precisely the level of urgency or emotional weight you intend.
Writing
When writing about “bleed,” specificity is key. If you’re dealing with a medical event, describe the location, severity, and possible cause: “A deep cut on his arm caused profuse bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention.” Include sensory details—like the color, the rate of flow, or the individual’s reactions—to place the reader in the moment. For less distressing scenarios, such as a small paper cut, you might focus on quick remedies or mild discomfort. If the bleeding is metaphorical, ground it in an emotional or artistic context: “Her paintings bleed color, merging one hue into another in a vibrant, dreamlike wash.” In instructions or manuals—especially for design—explain how 'bleed lines' work to ensure images extend fully to the paper’s edge after trimming. Provide examples like, “Allow a 3 mm bleed around each side,” so readers understand the technical process. In creative writing, you can use bleed to elevate tension: “The walls seemed to bleed shadows,” weaving an ominous tone. Balance vividness with clarity, making sure readers know whether you mean a literal flow of blood or another kind of seepage—like color or emotion. This precision keeps your writing engaging and unambiguous, whether you’re penning a short story, a medical pamphlet, or a design guide. Always guide readers with context clues so they won’t confuse a severe injury with a color mishap or a symbolic flourish.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, people usually mention 'bleed' when talking about minor cuts or scrapes: “Oh, I nicked my finger, and now it’s bleeding.” If you’re cooking and accidentally cut yourself, you might say, “Hang on—I’m bleeding, so I need a bandage.” When talking about clothing or fabrics, you might hear, “Be careful; that red shirt might bleed in the wash,” meaning the dye could transfer onto other clothes. If you’re discussing home décor or art, 'bleed-through' can happen with paints or markers, causing unwanted marks on the other side of the paper or on your table. Sometimes people use 'bleed' idiomatically: “He’ll bleed you dry,” suggesting someone might exploit you financially or emotionally. You might also hear, “I’m bleeding money,” meaning unexpected bills or expenses are eating away at your budget. In casual conversation, “bleeding heart” can indicate someone who’s overly sympathetic. While these phrases are common, it’s good to be aware of the seriousness around actual injuries. Make sure friends or family know if your 'bleeding' is minor or requires attention. Typically, though, it’s easy to tell from the context if someone’s dealing with real blood loss or just warning you about color running in the laundry. The word “bleed” and its derivatives show up in both serious and playful ways, so listen for context clues to gauge the gravity or humor in each situation.
Etymology
The English verb “bleed” descends from the Old English 'blēdan,' which itself stems from the noun 'blōd,' meaning 'blood.' Linguistically, it shares roots with similar Germanic terms that focus on bodily fluids or color. Historically, to 'bleed' simply meant to lose blood—often with connotations of injury or deliberate bloodletting in medical practices of the past (like leech therapy). Over centuries, it retained this literal sense, while also expanding into metaphorical and technical realms. In older medical traditions, 'bleeding' was believed to balance the 'humors' in the body, so physicians performed it deliberately. Advances in modern science replaced such practices with safer methods, but “bleed” continued to reflect both accidental and purposeful blood loss. As paper production and printing technologies evolved, 'bleed' became a term for printing images that extend beyond margins, ensuring no white edges remain post-trim. Metaphorically, people began saying 'bleed' to express emotional or financial depletion—like “bleeding heart” or “bleed someone dry.” Thus, the concept has broadened well beyond its Old English origins to capture physical, emotional, aesthetic, and even financial forms of seepage or loss. This versatility shows how “bleed” resonates across domains—from medical emergencies to creative design—retaining the sense of something leaking or flowing away.