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Benediction
Definitions
- 1 A short invocation for help, blessing and guidance from God, said on behalf of another person or persons (sometimes at the end of a church worship service). countable, uncountable
"to pronounce / give / say the benediction"
- 2 the act of praying for divine protection wordnet
- 3 In the Anglican church, the ceremony used to institute an abbot, analogous to the consecration of a bishop. countable, uncountable
"What Consecration is to a Bishop, that Benediction is to an Abbot; but in a different way: For a Bishop is not properly such till Consecration; but an Abbot being elected and confirm’d, is properly such before Benediction."
- 4 a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection wordnet
- 5 A Roman Catholic rite by which bells, banners, candles, etc., are blessed with holy water and formally dedicated to God. countable, uncountable
"[He] later liked to attend benediction in the chapel at Brideshead and see the ladies of the family with their necks arched in devotion under their black lace mantillas; [...]"
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- 6 Help, good fortune or reward from God or another supernatural source. countable, uncountable
"[…] they throng who should buy first, as if my trinkets had been hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer:"
Etymology
From Middle English benediccion, from Ecclesiastical Latin benedictio, benedictionis, from benedictus (“blessed; well spoken of”). Doublet of benison.
See also for "benediction"
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Unscramble this word: benediction