transitive verb blessed or blest, blessing bless′·ing

1. to make or declare holy by a spoken formula or a sign; hallow; consecrate
2. to ask divine favor for the minister blessed the congregation
3. to favor or endow (with) to be blessed with eloquence
4. to make happy or prosperous; gladden he blessed us with his leadership
5. to think (oneself) happy; congratulate (oneself)
6. to praise or glorify to bless the Lord
7. to make the sign of the cross over or upon
8. to keep or protect from harm, evil, etc.: obsolete, except in prayers, exclamations, etc.

Etymology: ME blessen, bletsien < OE bletsian, bledsian < blod, blood: rite of consecration by sprinkling an altar with blood