blood

[ bluhd ]

noun

1. the fluid that circulates in the principal vascular system of human beings and other vertebrates, in humans consisting of plasma in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended.
2. the vital principle; life:

   The excitement had got into the very blood of the nation.

3. a person or group regarded as a source of energy, vitality, or vigor:

   It's time we got some new blood in this company.

4. one of the four elemental bodily humors of medieval physiology, regarded as causing cheerfulness.
5. the shedding of blood; slaughter; murder:

   to avenge the blood of his father.

6. the juice or sap of plants:

   the blood of the grape.

7. temperament; disposition:

   a person of hot blood.

8. physical nature of human beings:

   the frailty of our blood.

9. Chiefly British. a high-spirited dandy; an adventuresome youth:

   the young bloods of Cambridge.

10. a profligate or rake.
11. physical and cultural extraction:

    It was a trait that seemed to be in their blood.

12. royal extraction:

    a prince of the blood.

13. descent from a common ancestor; ancestry; lineage:

    related by blood.

    Synonyms: stock, pedigree, parentage, genealogy, extraction, constitution, temper, spirit, personality, nature, mettle, makeup, grain, character

14. recorded and respected ancestry; purebred breeding.
15. Slang.
    1. a Black person, especially a young Black man.
    2. brother ( def 8 ).

verb (used with object)

1. Hunting. to give (hounds) a first sight or taste of blood. Compare flesh ( def 14 ).
2. to stain with blood.

Blood

¹

/ blʌd /

noun

1. BloodThomas?16181680MIrishTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: adventurer Thomas , known as Colonel Blood . ?1618–80, Irish adventurer, who tried to steal the crown jewels (1671)

blood

²

/ blʌd /

noun

1. a reddish fluid in vertebrates that is pumped by the heart through the arteries and veins, supplies tissues with nutrients, oxygen, etc, and removes waste products. It consists of a fluid (see blood plasma ) containing cells (erythrocytes, leucocytes, and platelets) haemalhaematicsanguineous
2. a similar fluid in such invertebrates as annelids and arthropods
3. bloodshed, esp when resulting in murder
4. the guilt or responsibility for killing or injuring (esp in the phrase to have blood on one's hands or head )
5. life itself; lifeblood
6. relationship through being of the same family, race, or kind; kinship
7. blood, sweat and tears informal.
   hard work and concentrated effort
8. flesh and blood
   1. near kindred or kinship, esp that between a parent and child
   2. human nature (esp in the phrase it's more than flesh and blood can stand )
9. ethnic or national descent

   of Spanish blood

10. in one's blood
    as a natural or inherited characteristic or talent
11. the blood
    royal or noble descent

    a prince of the blood

12. temperament; disposition; temper
13. 1. good or pure breeding; pedigree
    2. ( as modifier )

       blood horses

14. people viewed as members of a group, esp as an invigorating force (in the phrases new blood, young blood )
15. rare.
    a dashing young man; dandy; rake
16. the sensual or carnal nature of man
17. obsolete.
    one of the four bodily humours See humour
18. bad blood
    hatred; ill feeling
19. blood is thicker than water
    family duties and loyalty outweigh other ties
20. have one's blood up or get one's blood up
    to be or cause to be angry or inflamed
21. in cold blood
    showing no passion; deliberately; ruthlessly
22. make one's blood boil
    to cause to be angry or indignant
23. make one's blood run cold
    to fill with horror

verb

1. hunting to cause (young hounds) to taste the blood of a freshly killed quarry and so become keen to hunt
2. hunting to smear the cheeks or forehead of (a person) with the blood of the kill as an initiation in hunting
3. to initiate (a person) to an activity or organization, esp by real-life experience

blood

/ blŭd /

1. The fluid tissue that circulates through the body of a vertebrate animal by the pumping action of the heart. Blood is the transport medium by which oxygen and nutrients are carried to body cells and waste products are picked up for excretion. Blood consists of plasma in which red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended.
2. A fluid that is similar in function in many invertebrate animals.

blood

1. The fluid circulating through the heart , arteries , veins , and capillaries of the circulatory system . Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body and removes waste materials and carbon dioxide . It is composed of plasma (mainly water, but with a mixture of hormones , nutrients, gas es, antibodies , and wastes), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which help combat infection ), and platelets (which help the blood clot).

Other Words From

• bloodlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blood¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English blo(o)d, Old English blōd; cognate with Old Frisian, Old Saxon blōd, Old High German bluot ( German Blut ), Old Norse blōth, Gothic bloth, from Germanic blōdam

Word History and Origins

Origin of blood¹

Old English blōd ; related to Old Norse blōth , Old High German bluot

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get / have one's blood up, to become or be enraged or impassioned:

   Injustice of any sort always gets my blood up.

2. have someone's blood on one's head / hands, to be to blame for someone's affliction or death:

   Though a criminal, he had no blood on his hands.

3. in cold blood, without pity or mercy; ruthlessly:

   The dictator, in cold blood, ordered the execution of all his political enemies.

4. make one's blood boil, to inspire resentment, anger, or indignation:

   Such carelessness makes my blood boil.

5. make one's blood run cold, to fill with terror; frighten:

   The dark, deserted street in that unfamiliar neighborhood made her blood run cold.

6. taste blood, to experience a new sensation, usually a violent or destructive one, and acquire an appetite for it:

   Once the team had tasted blood, there was no preventing them from winning by a wide margin.

7. sweat blood. sweat ( def 38 ).

More idioms and phrases containing blood

In addition to the idiom beginning with blood , also see bad blood ; draw blood ; flesh and blood ; in cold blood ; in one's blood ; make one's blood boil ; make one's blood run cold ; new blood ; out for (blood) ; run in the blood (family) ; scream bloody murder ; shed blood ; sporting blood ; sweat blood . Also see under bleed .

Example Sentences

Infants can also suffer from something called pulmonary hypertension — when blood isn’t getting through the arteries en route to the lungs to pick up oxygen.

From Los Angeles Times

“Both women put blood, sweat and tears into developing their businesses,” the judges said.

From BBC

"This study opens up the possibility of more targeted and effective treatment possibilities for diabetic heart disease patients when combined with their usual blood sugar management medication," Dr Kantharidis said.

From Science Daily

It is the same movie, slightly tweaked and constantly referencing and reminding you of the original, delivering what you already loved about “Gladiator”: strength and honor, bread and circuses, blood and guts.

From Los Angeles Times

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have discovered how long-term treatment of high blood pressure with commonly prescribed drugs can destroy the kidney's ability to filter and purify blood.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• juice

More About Blood

What is a basic definition of blood?

Blood is a vital bodily fluid pumped through the veins and arteries by the heart. Blood also refers to people who provide energy, to a tendency a person has, or to a person’s ancestry. The word blood has several other senses as a noun and a few as a verb.

Blood is the red fluid that flows through your body. It is made of plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Blood carries oxygen and other important nutrients throughout the body. It also carries waste, such as carbon dioxide, to the lungs, kidneys, and liver to be removed. Blood is a major component of the circulatory system, which also includes the heart, veins, arteries, and lymph nodes. The verbs bleed and bled mean to ooze, leak, or exude blood.

• Real-life examples: You are filled with blood. If you cut your hand, blood will flow out of the wound. A blood drive is an event where people are encouraged to donate blood to a hospital or medical organization. A blood transfusion is taking blood from one living thing and injecting it into another.
• Used in a sentence: The butcher‘s smock was covered with pig’s blood.

Blood is also used to refer to people who provide energy, spirit, or vigor to something.

• Real-life examples: Companies, clubs, or sports teams often look for new members, referred to as young blood or new blood, to provide new energy when they are stuck in a rut.
• Used in a sentence: The basketball team started seeing success thanks to the new blood the rookies provided.

Blood is also used to mean a tendency or natural proficiency a person has that is seemingly based on their culture or background. This sense usually takes the form of in the blood.

• Real-life examples: A family that has many members become amazing painters might say they have painting in their blood. Similarly, a son or daughter of a famous swimmer may state that swimming is in their blood when they attempt to become famous swimmers as well.
• Used in a sentence: I come from a long line of bakers. Baking is in my blood!

Blood can also refer to people having a common ancestor or a shared heritage. The term bloodline also refers to this idea.

• Real-life examples: Your parents, siblings, cousins, and grandparents are your blood relatives. You all have a common ancestor that you descend from. If you have a brother-in-law or a stepmother, they are related to you by marriage rather than by blood.
• Used in a sentence: She has two brothers by blood and one by marriage.

Where does blood come from?

The first records of blood come from before the year 1000. It comes from the Old English blōd. It is related to words for the red liquid in several other languages, such as the Old High German bluot and the Old Norse blōth.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to blood?

• bloodlike (adjective)

What are some synonyms for blood?

• juice
• vital fluid
• sanguine fluid
• ancestry
• heritage
• kinship

What are some words that share a root or word element with blood? 

• bloody
• bloodshot
• bloodstain
• bloodshed

What are some words that often get used in discussing blood?

• type
• bank
• sugar
• test
• drive
• sport
• money

How is blood used in real life?

Blood is a common word. It is most often used to literally or figuratively refer to the vital bodily fluid.

Just dropped sheep blood all over my lab book. So that's how my day is going

— Rachel Motzer (@rachelmotzer) September 25, 2015

No hate in my blood.. I helped people reach goals that I was targeting myself!

— 😈😈😈😈 (@Jerseystar973) December 11, 2020

When you find out you're related by blood, to a former Archbishop of Canterbury 😱😱 @AncestryUK @Ancestry #ArchBishopRamsey

— Emily👑 (@EmilyPrince88) November 15, 2020

 

 

Try using blood!

True or False?

Blood is an unimportant fluid that the body occasionally produces.