v.
- consecrate or invoke divine favour upon (someone) by means of a religious rite.
▸call (God) holy; praise (God).
▸
(bless oneself)
archaic make the sign of the cross.
-
(bless someone with)
endow someone with (a cherished thing or attribute).
- used in expressions of surprise, endearment, etc.
Phrase
- bless you!
said to a person who has just sneezed.
[from the phr. (may) God bless you.]
Etymology
OE blēdsian, blētsian, based on blōd ‘blood’ (orig. perh. ‘mark or consecrate with blood’).
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