benediction
[ben-i-dik-shuh n]
- 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.
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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. 2018
Examples from the Web for benediction
Contemporary Examples
The resulting pictures of Angelina, dipping her head as she receives the Sovereign's benediction, have gone around the world.
Why do politicians and policy-makers need the benediction of celebrity to do their jobs?
Where their benediction fell, their flocks were sure to go—or that was the idea.
Even so, there was a mystical note missing until they brought on the 87-year-old Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery for the benediction.
Historical Examples
After the benediction came one of the saddest moments of the day.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
Then I escaped before the blessing, desiring no benediction at such hands.
American NotesRudyard Kipling
The signal was then given to us, and we all knelt to receive the benediction of Monseigneur.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
And, with additions, the nephew repeated the benediction of the uncle.
Jennie Baxter, JournalistRobert Barr
To some of the services—to Benediction for instance—the public is not admitted.
The Coryston FamilyMrs. Humphry Ward
benediction
- an invocation of divine blessing, esp at the end of a Christian religious ceremony
- a Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament
- the state of being blessed
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin benedictio, from benedīcere to bless; see benedicite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for benediction
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper