blood
noun (uncountable)
UK/blʌd/US/blʌd/
The red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrates, transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste products around the body.
Example Sentences
He donated blood to help save a patient who needed a transfusion.
Blood tests are commonly used to diagnose various medical conditions.
You could see the dried blood on the bandage around her arm.
The sight of blood often makes him feel faint.
In many cultures, blood ties are believed to form the strongest family bonds.
His face turned pale when he noticed a small drop of blood on his sleeve.
Rushing to the hospital, she tried to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound, praying the blood loss would be minimal and help would arrive soon.
Even though it was just a minor injury, the sight of bright red blood oozing out startled him, reminding him to handle sharp objects more carefully in the future.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/blʌd/US/blʌd/
(Archaic or chiefly British) To initiate or give someone their first experience of something, often originally referring to smearing with blood after a successful hunt.
Example Sentences
The hunting party followed an old tradition to blood the new members.
They decided to blood the rookie soldier by assigning him a challenging mission.
Historically, some cultures would blood warriors after their first successful battle.
He was blooded in difficult conditions, making him a resilient fighter.
When you blood new recruits early on, they learn valuable lessons quickly.
The team chose to blood the promising young player during a crucial match.
Some older customs involved physically smearing the newcomer with blood, though nowadays it's more symbolic, serving as a rite of passage into the group or activity.
Modern organizations often prefer to blood new employees by gradually increasing responsibility, allowing them to adapt without overwhelming pressure.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
The essential fluid that transports oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells in many organisms.Primarily, this word functions as a noun to describe the red fluid that circulates in the bodies of humans and many animals. It is critical for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells to and from tissues, thereby maintaining metabolic processes and overall health. In everyday usage, you might refer to it when discussing medical situations (e.g., “He lost a lot of blood after the accident”) or hereditary connections and lineage (e.g., “They share the same bloodline”). Metaphorically, it can symbolize kinship (“blood is thicker than water”) or passion (“the music set my blood racing”). When writing or speaking, clarify context to ensure you convey whether you mean it literally—such as in health-related topics—or figuratively, as in poetic or idiomatic expressions. Additionally, specialized terms like “blood pressure,” “blood transfusion,” or “blood tests” are common in medical contexts, whereas literature often uses it to evoke imagery or emotional depth. Understanding how this word can function literally, symbolically, and idiomatically will help you integrate it smoothly into both scientific and creative discussions.
Alternatives
Alternatives and related words largely depend on context. For medical or scientific usage, you might refer to “plasma,” the liquid component of blood that holds cells in suspension, or “circulatory fluid” for a more clinical tone. In a more poetic or figurative context, terms like “lifeblood” can emphasize the crucial essence of something, while “vital fluid” may underscore its importance. “Genealogy,” “lineage,” or “ancestry” highlight biological connections, substituting the idea of shared bloodlines in a more formal or historical context. If you need to discuss the broader process of sustaining life, you might use “circulation,” “cardiovascular system,” or “hemoglobin” (the protein carrying oxygen within red blood cells). Picking the right word or phrase hinges on whether you’re aiming for medical precision, vivid storytelling, or metaphoric resonance. Regardless of your choice, ensure it aligns with the tone, setting, and purpose of your conversation or writing, whether you’re illustrating a family bond, depicting a dramatic injury, or discussing a critical component of health.
Writing
When writing, you can use this term to convey both literal and symbolic meanings. Describing medical situations, such as injuries, might require detailed references to blood loss or treatment procedures to evoke a sense of urgency or drama. In fiction, including thrillers or horror genres, mentioning blood might intensify tension or highlight the stakes of a scene. In more metaphorical contexts, you might call upon this word to discuss passion or familial connections, like “music coursed through her veins” to show an innate affinity or “they shared the same blood” to denote close kinship. Balance is key: overusing explicit references to it can come across as gratuitous, while failing to anchor vivid imagery might weaken the emotional resonance. If you’re writing formally or academically—perhaps about health, hematology, or medical research—you’ll want to incorporate precise terminology and data. In literary or creative writing, you can blend straightforward description with figurative language to deepen the significance. Mind your audience’s comfort level and expectations, and ensure each mention serves a clear narrative, emotional, or informational purpose.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, references to this term often revolve around health, minor injuries, or familial ties. You might mention it while describing a cut or scrape—“Oh, there’s a bit of blood, better clean it up”—or joke about it when discussing fear of needles: “I can’t stand the sight of blood.” People also casually use phrases like “bad blood” to indicate conflicts, grudges, or tension between individuals. Family talk might include references to “blood relations” when clarifying how people are connected. If you’re feeling especially enthusiastic about something, you might say it “gets your blood pumping,” indicating excitement. Generally, keep the context in mind—some might be squeamish, so it’s considerate to be mindful about graphic details. At the same time, you can safely discuss basic points like health checks, donating blood, or taking a blood test. Casual usage, then, is quite versatile, encompassing literal mentions, colloquial phrases, and symbolic nuances to describe relationships or emotions.
Etymology
This word originates from the Old English “blod,” which can be traced back to Proto-Germanic roots. Historically, it has represented both a literal, life-sustaining substance and a powerful metaphorical concept. In early cultures, it often symbolized life force, sacrifice, or divine essence, and blood rituals featured in spiritual and societal practices around the world. Over time, the term expanded to include notions of ancestry and identity, tying one’s “blood” to lineage and heritage. Medieval and Renaissance medicine examined it alongside other bodily “humors,” attributing it to traits of temperament and character. Today, it remains at the heart of clinical science, from blood transfusions and tests to its role in diagnosing diseases. Despite modern advancements in understanding its composition—red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma—it has lost none of its metaphorical potency. It still signifies the spark of life and bonding within families, as well as the universal human connection that transcends geographic and cultural boundaries.