devoid of blood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of blood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks blood, often in a literal or metaphorical sense, such as in discussions about anatomy, horror, or emotional states. Example: "The body lay on the ground, utterly devoid of blood, a chilling sight that sent shivers down my spine."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The attacks happen mostly at night, leaving the animals devoid of blood, with oddly vampirelike punctures in their necks.

The New York Times - Travel

But they are not always effective because many tumors contain central zones devoid of blood and oxygen.

The New York Times - Science

Articular cartilage is commonly described as a tissue that is made of up to 80% water, is devoid of blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics, and is populated by only one cell type, the chondrocyte.

Acta Biomaterialia

An additional function of the fluid is to provide nutrition for the crystalline lens and also for the cornea, both of which are devoid of blood vessels; the steady renewal and drainage serve to bring into the eye various nutrient substances, including glucose and amino acids, and to remove waste products of metabolism.

Britannica

Aspirated fat tissue that is used for autologous fat transplantation is devoid of blood microvessels because these microvessels are destroyed during the aspiration, and removed during processing prior to its injection.

Plosone

The inner region was consistently devoid of blood vessels.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

King [13], in 1939, in his comprehensive review of both recent and old case of fracture neck femur, emphasised that 3 weeks old can be arbitrarily called old and ununited, as it can be assumed that the head of the femur is devoid of its blood supply, has less chances of osseous union and that secondary changes are more probable than if operation were performed earlier.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Close examination of E12.5 mutant yolk sac revealed a highly developed vasculature devoid of red blood cells (Fig. 3C to E). Histological examination and anti-PECAM-1 staining of endothelial cell of PiT1Δ5/Δ5 yolk sac sections confirmed that major defects in the vasculature were absent from PiT1Δ5/Δ5 mutants (Fig. 3F to I).

Plosone

This limitation thus does not detract from the conclusion that pravastatin is devoid of a blood pressure lowering effect.

British Medical Journal

The durectomies were placed in areas devoid of major blood vessels and at the edge of the field of view so as to limit artifacts for LSI.

ACS Chemical Neuroscience

Speckle contrast images were analyzed for CBF by placing regions of interest (ROIs) of 1 mm diameter in areas devoid of major blood vessels.

ACS Chemical Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical or biological conditions, use "devoid of blood" to precisely indicate the absence of blood supply or blood cells in a specific tissue or area.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of blood" when a metaphorical expression like "lacking vitality" or "devoid of emotion" is more appropriate. Ensure the context relates to a literal or strongly implied absence of blood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of blood" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the absence of blood. This can describe a physical state, as seen in Ludwig examples related to tissues and anatomical structures, or be used metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of blood" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe the absence of blood. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in scientific and medical contexts, with occasional metaphorical uses. While "devoid of blood" is accurate, alternatives like "lacking blood" or "bloodless" might be more suitable for general writing. Understanding the contexts and potential metaphorical extensions is key to using this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking blood

This alternative is a more straightforward and literal substitute, using simpler vocabulary.

bloodless

This is a single-word adjective that directly conveys the absence of blood.

without blood

This alternative uses a prepositional phrase to express the lack of blood.

free of blood

This option indicates a state of being clear or exempt from blood.

unbloody

This alternative directly negates the presence of blood, suitable in contexts where blood is expected.

anemic

This term implies a deficiency related to blood, but specifically refers to a low red blood cell count, making it contextually specific.

exsanguinated

This term is more dramatic, suggesting complete blood loss, often due to injury or bloodletting.

without bloodshed

This phrase changes the focus to a situation avoiding violence, rather than a literal absence of blood.

lacking vitality

This alternative shifts the meaning metaphorically, suggesting a lack of energy or life force associated with blood.

devoid of life force

This expands on the metaphorical lack of vitality, emphasizing the absence of a fundamental life-sustaining element.

FAQs

How can I use "devoid of blood" in a sentence?

You can use "devoid of blood" to describe tissues or organisms that lack blood vessels or blood cells, such as "Articular cartilage is commonly described as a tissue that is "devoid of blood" vessels, nerves, and lymphatics".

What's a more common alternative to "devoid of blood"?

While "devoid of blood" is accurate, simpler alternatives like "lacking blood" or "bloodless" are often used in general writing.

Is it always literal when something is described as "devoid of blood"?

Typically, "devoid of blood" is used in a literal sense, especially in scientific or medical contexts. However, it can be used metaphorically to describe something that lacks vitality or emotion, though this is less common. A more common way to describe something as lacking emotion would be "devoid of emotion".

When is it appropriate to use "devoid of blood" versus "free of blood"?

"Devoid of blood" emphasizes the absence of blood where it might be expected, while "free of blood" suggests a clearance or absence where contamination was possible. The best choice depends on the specific context.