blood
n
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 and leucocytes) and platelets
Related adjs →
haemal →
haematic →
sanguineous
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)
6 relationship through being of the same family, race, or kind; kinship
7 ♦
blood, sweat and tears
Informal hard work and concentrated effort
a near kindred or kinship, esp. that between a parent and child
b 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
a good or pure breeding; pedigree
b (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 (Chiefly Brit)
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 →
8
18 ♦
bad blood hatred; ill feeling
19 ♦
blood is thicker than water family duties and loyalty outweigh other ties
20 ♦
have 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
vb tr
24 (Hunting) to cause (young hounds) to taste the blood of a freshly killed quarry and so become keen to hunt
25 (Hunting) to smear the cheeks or forehead of (a person) with the blood of the kill as an initiation in hunting
26 to initiate (a person) to war
(Old English blod; related to Old Norse bloth, Old High German bluot)