bless

bless
transitive verb (blessed; also blest; blessing) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English blētsian, from blōd blood; from the use of blood in consecration Date: before 12th century 1. to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word 2. to hallow with the sign of the cross 3. to invoke divine care for <
bless your heart
>
— used in the phrase bless you to wish good health especially to one who has just sneezed 4. a. praise, glorify <
bless his holy name
>
b. to speak well of ; approve 5. to confer prosperity or happiness upon 6. archaic protect, preserve 7. endow, favor <
blessed with athletic ability
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bless — Bless, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blessed}or {Blest}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Blessing}.] [OE. blessien, bletsen, AS. bletsian, bledsian, bloedsian, fr. bl?d blood; prob. originally to consecrate by sprinkling with blood. See {Blood}.] 1. To make or pronounce …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bless me — Bless Bless, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blessed}or {Blest}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Blessing}.] [OE. blessien, bletsen, AS. bletsian, bledsian, bloedsian, fr. bl?d blood; prob. originally to consecrate by sprinkling with blood. See {Blood}.] 1. To make or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bless us — Bless Bless, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blessed}or {Blest}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Blessing}.] [OE. blessien, bletsen, AS. bletsian, bledsian, bloedsian, fr. bl?d blood; prob. originally to consecrate by sprinkling with blood. See {Blood}.] 1. To make or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bless — [ bles ] (past tense and past participle blessed or blest [ blest ] ) verb transitive * 1. ) to say a prayer asking God to help and protect someone or something: a ceremony to bless the harvest a ) if God blesses someone or something, he helps… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • bless — S3 [bles] v [T] [: Old English; Origin: bletsian, from blod blood ; because blood was used in religious ceremonies] 1.) bless you! spoken a) what you say when someone ↑sneezes b) used to thank someone for doing something for you 2.) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • bless — bless·ed; bless·ed·ly; bless·ed·ness; bless·ing·ly; bless; un·bless·ed·ness; …   English syllables

  • bless — [bles] vt. blessed or blest, blessing [ME blessen, bletsien < OE bletsian, bledsian < blod,BLOOD: rite of consecration by sprinkling an altar with blood] 1. to make or declare holy by a spoken formula or a sign; hallow; consecrate 2. to ask …   English World dictionary

  • Bless — ist der Familienname folgender Personen Astrid Bless (1944–2009), deutsche Synchronsprecherin und Schauspielerin Roland Bless (* 1961), deutscher Musiker Siehe auch: Bläss Diese Seite ist ein …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • bless — ► VERB 1) call on God to protect or treat favourably. 2) consecrate by a religious rite. 3) praise (God). 4) (be blessed with) be endowed with or granted (something greatly desired). ● bless you! Cf. ↑bless you! …   English terms dictionary

  • bless me! — or bless my soul! (old) An exclamation of surprise • • • Main Entry: ↑bless …   Useful english dictionary

  • bless me — bless my soul/bless me/well I’m blessed/old fashioned phrase used for showing surprise Thesaurus: old fashioned expressions of surprisesynonym Main entry: bless …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”