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.

verb (used with object)

1. Hunting.,  to give (hounds) a first sight or taste of blood.

2. to stain with blood.

Blood

¹

/ blʌd /

noun

1. 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)

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. informal,  hard work and concentrated effort

8. 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. as a natural or inherited characteristic or talent

11. 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. hatred; ill feeling

19. family duties and loyalty outweigh other ties

20. to be or cause to be angry or inflamed

21. showing no passion; deliberately; ruthlessly

22. to cause to be angry or indignant

23. 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

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 Word Forms

• bloodlike 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. make one's blood boil, to inspire resentment, anger, or indignation.

   Such carelessness makes my blood boil.

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

   Injustice of any sort always gets my blood up.

3. 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.

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

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

5. sweat blood. sweat.

6. in cold blood, without pity or mercy; ruthlessly.

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

7. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing blood

• bad blood
• bleed
• 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

Example Sentences

After the 2008 Pro Bowl player refused a field sobriety test, police said, a search warrant was obtained and a blood sample was taken at a hospital.

From Los Angeles Times

She said: "You restricted the blood flow to his brain, he slipped into unconsciousness and suffered a cardiac arrest."

From BBC

As of Thursday afternoon, neither Walgreens nor CVS were allowing adults in California under age 65 to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments unless they attested to having an underlying medical condition — such as asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure.

From Los Angeles Times

As it passes through Earth's shadow, it will take on a deep red hue, creating a striking "Blood Moon".

From BBC

Lunar eclipses are sometimes referred to as "Blood Moons" due to the Moon's reddish hue during the event.

From BBC

Related Words

• juice 

When To Use

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.