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bleed
This term evokes a sense of uncontrolled loss or leakage, whether biological, chemical, or financial. In a medical or physical sense, it describes the visceral process of blood escaping the circulatory system, often associated with injury or trauma.
In technical and artistic contexts, it refers to the unwanted migration of fluids or pigments across a boundary, such as ink spreading on paper or dye transferring between fabrics. When used in a financial or resource-based context, it carries a predatory or draining connotation, suggesting a slow but steady depletion that leads to exhaustion.
Meanings
To lose blood from the body, typically as a result of an injury.
The wound continued to bleed despite the bandage.
To allow blood to flow from a wound or organ, often as a medical procedure to treat a condition.
The doctor decided to bleed the patient to reduce the pressure.
To drain a liquid or gas from a system, especially to remove air bubbles or impurities from a pipe or brake line.
You need to bleed the brakes to ensure they work properly.
To exhaust someone of money or resources through persistent demands or high costs.
The expensive legal battle began to bleed the company dry.
Phrasal Verbs
bleed out
to lose a lethal or critical amount of blood from a wound
The paramedics worked quickly to stop the soldier from bleeding out on the battlefield.
bleed into
to merge or blend gradually into another color, state, or area
The sunset colors began to bleed into a deep purple as night fell.
bleed dry
to exhaust all of someone's money or resources
The predatory lenders continued to bleed the small business dry with exorbitant interest rates.