/blɛs/
OriginFrom Middle English blessen, from Old English bletsian (“to consecrate (with blood)”), from Proto-West Germanic *blōdisōn (“to sprinkle, mark or hallow with blood”), from Proto-Germanic *blōþą (“blood”), of uncertain origin, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (“to bloom”). Cognate with Old Norse bleza (“to bless”) (whence Icelandic blessa), Old English blēdan (“to bleed”). More at bleed.
- To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
- To invoke divine favor upon.
“In some countries, priests bless farm animals on St. Anthony's Day.”
“In many families, a grace is said before dinner to give thanks for and bless the food.”
- To honor as holy, glorify; to extol for excellence.
“A Pſalme of Dauid. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoule: and all that is within me, bleſſe his holy Name.”
- To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
“And thou ſhalt ſweare, The Lord liueth, in Trueth, in Iudgement, and in Righteouſnes, and the nations ſhall bleſſe themſelues in him, and in him ſhall they glorie.”
- To make the sign of the cross upon, so as to sanctify.
“the archbishop vsing certeine praiers, blessed the king”
- obsoleteTo wave; to brandish.
“And burning blades about their heads do blesse.”
“Round his armed head his trenchant blade he blest.”
- transitiveTo turn (a reference) into an object.
- archaicTo secure, defend, or prevent from.
“Bless me from marrying a usurer.”
“To bleſs the dores from nightly harm”
- slangTo give or send.
“Could you bless me the link for the original post?”
“I'm actually marved right now, can you bless me some cash?”
“Ahlie fam ¶ Do u have grabba? ¶ Bless me a change for the ttc”
- transitiveTo approve of or assent to.
“After those modifications, the Board blessed the reorganization plan.”
- PhilippinesTo perform the mano gesture; taking of an elder's hand to press it to one's forehead or kiss it (as a sign of respect)
“You should bless your relatives, because they arrived here already.”
- Canada, UK, informalUsed as an expression of endearment, gratitude, or (ironically) belittlement.
“Ah bless! You must be the welcoming committee for anyone who dares express ignorance.”
“oh bless. *hug* that is not true. nobody here bears a grudge against 13 year old dear or against you.”
“Aw bless... have white chocolate fudge muffin....a new batch.... made them last night after Nigella....”
Formsblesses(present, singular, third-person) · blessing(participle, present) · blest(participle, past) · blest(past) · blessed(participle, past) · blessed(past) · Blesses(plural)