benediction
The definition of a benediction is a religious blessing, or the state of having received such a blessing.
(noun)A Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the Blessed Sacrament is an example of benediction.
See benediction in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a blessing
- an invocation of divine blessing, esp. at the end of a religious service
- blessedness
- R.C.Ch. a devotional service during which a consecrated Host is exposed in a monstrance and a solemn blessing is given with the Host
Origin: ME benediccioun < LL(Ec) benedictio < benedicere, to bless < L, to commend < bene, well + dicere, to speak: see diction
Related Forms:
- benedictory adjective
See benediction in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A blessing.
- An invocation of divine blessing, usually at the end of a church service.
- often Benediction Roman 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.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English benediccioun
Origin: , from Old French benedicion
Origin: , from Latin benedictiō, benedictiōn-
Origin: , from benedictus
Origin: , past participle of benedīcere, to bless
Origin: : bene, well; see deu-2 in Indo-European roots
Origin: + dīcere, to speak; see deik- in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
- benˌe·dicˈtive, benˌe·dicˈto·ry (-dĭkˈtə-rē) adjective
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