bless
Meaning
-
- To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
- To make the sign of the cross upon, so as to sanctify.
- To invoke divine favor upon.
- To honor as holy, glorify; to extol for excellence.
- To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
- (obsolete) To wave; to brandish.
- To turn (a reference) into an object.
- To secure, defend, or prevent from.
- (slang) To give or send.
- To approve of or assent to.
Synonyms
give one’s blessing
be blessed
make holy
wish well
pray for
make happy
treat well
cleanse ritually
show mercy to
bestow a blessing on
give a blessing
give best wishes for success
wish one success
eulogise eulogize
admire
give thanks
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/blɛs/
Etymology
In summary
From Middle English blessen, from Old English bletsian (“to consecrate (with blood)”), from Proto-West Germanic *blōdisōn (“to sprinkle, mark or hallow with blood”), from Proto-Germanic *blōþą (“blood”), of uncertain origin, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (“to bloom”). Cognate with Old Norse bleza (“to bless”) (whence Icelandic blessa), Old English blēdan (“to bleed”). More at bleed. Equivalent to blood + -se.
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Notes
