benediction
[ben-i-dik-shuh n]
noun
an utterance of good wishes.
the form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister, as at the close of divine service.
a ceremony by which things are set aside for sacred uses, as a church, vestments, or bells.
(usually initial capital letter) Also called Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 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.
the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.
RELATED WORDS
invocation, gratitude, okay, amen, blessing, beatitude, thanksgiving, orison, favor, consecration, approbation, thanks, praise, approval, grace, benison, sanctification, benedictus
Nearby words
- benedict, ruth,
- benedict, ruth fulton,
- benedict, saint,
- benedictine,
- benedictines,
- benedictional,
- benedictory,
- benedictus,
- benef.,
- benefaction
Origin of benediction
1400–50; late Middle English (< Middle French) < Latin benedictiōn- (stem of benedictiō). See Benedictus, -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for benediction
benediction
noun
Word Origin for benediction
C15: from Latin benedictio, from benedīcere to bless; see benedicite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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benediction
c.1400, from Latin benedictionem (nominative benedictio), noun of action from bene dicere "to speak well of, bless," from bene "well" (see bene-) + dicere "to speak" (see diction). The oldest sense in English is of grace before meat. The older French form, beneiçon passed into Middle English as benison.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper