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.
(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.
5.
the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.
[Origin: 1400–50; late ME (< MF) < L benedictiōn- (s. of benedictiō). See Benedictus, -ion]
An invocation of divine blessing, usually at the end of a church service.
often BenedictionRoman Catholic Church A short service consisting of prayers, the singing of a Eucharistic hymn, and the blessing of the congregation with the host.
An expression of good wishes.
[Middle English benediccioun, from Old French benedicion, from Latin benedictiō, benedictiōn-, from benedictus, past participle of benedīcere, to bless : bene, well; see deu-2 in Indo-European roots + dīcere, to speak; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]
1432, from L. benedictionem (nom. benedictio), noun of action from benedicere "to speak well of, bless," from bene "well" + dicere "to speak" (see diction). The oldest sense in Eng. is of grace before meat. The older Fr. form beneiçon passed into M.E. as benison (c.1300).
Ben`e*dic"tion\, n. [L. benedictio: cf. F. b['e]n['e]diction. See Benison.]1. The act of blessing. 2. A blessing; an expression of blessing, prayer, or kind wishes in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or affectionate invocation of happiness. So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus Followed with benediction. --Milton. Homeward serenely she walked with God's benediction upon her. --Longfellow. Specifically: The short prayer which closes public worship; as, to give the benediction. 3. (Eccl.) The form of instituting an abbot, answering to the consecration of a bishop. --Ayliffe. 4. (R. C. Ch.) A solemn rite by which bells, banners, candles, etc., are blessed with holy water, and formally dedicated to God.
Ben"i*son\, n. [OE. beneysun, benesoun, OF. bene["i]?un, bene["i]son, fr. L. benedictio, fr. benedicere to bless; bene (adv. of bonus good) + dicere to say. See Bounty, and Diction, and cf. Benediction.] Blessing; beatitude; benediction. --Shak. More precious than the benison of friends. --Talfourd.
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Audio Help [ben-i-dik-shuh
