[ben-i-dik-shuh
n] 
| 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. | (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. |
| ben·e·dic·tion (běn'ĭ-dĭk'shən) n.
[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.] ben'e·dic'tive, ben'e·dic'to·ry (-dĭk'tə-rē) adj. |
benediction
a verbal blessing of persons or things, commonly applied to invocations pronounced in God's name by a priest or minister, usually at the conclusion of a religious service. The Aaronic benediction (Num. 6:24-26) was incorporated by Luther into his German Mass and is preserved by modern Lutherans because of its impressive dignity; it is also used in the Mozarabic liturgy of Spain before the reception of the Host. The Swedish liturgy appends a trinitarian formula to this same benediction. Some Christian churches, however, prefer the Pauline benediction (II Cor. 13:14).
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