benediction

[ben-i-dik-shuhn]

noun

1. an utterance of good wishes.

2. the form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister, as at the close of divine service.

3. a ceremony by which things are set aside for sacred uses, as a church, vestments, or bells.

4. Also called Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. (usually initial capital letter),  a service consisting of prayers, at least one prescribed hymn, censing of the congregation and the Host, and a blessing of the congregation by moving in the form of a cross the ciborium or monstrance containing the Host.

5. the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.

benediction

/ ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. an invocation of divine blessing, esp at the end of a Christian religious ceremony

2. a Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament

3. the state of being blessed

Other Word Forms

• prebenediction noun
• benedictory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of benediction¹

1400–50; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin benedictiōn- (stem of benedictiō ). See Benedictus, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of benediction¹

C15: from Latin benedictio , from benedīcere to bless; see _benedicite

Related Words

• invocation