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bless β€” to ask for God's favor and protection for someone or something

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to ask for God's favor and protection for someone or something

Pronunciation (IPA): /bles/

Example Sentences

  • May God bless your exam results... especially if you didn't study!
  • She felt blessed to find a parking spot in downtown Seoul.
  • The teacher blessed us with a surprise test on Monday morning.

bless

VERB

[/bles/]

to ask for God's favor and protection for someone or something

The priest raised his hands to bless the newlyweds at the altar.
πŸ’‘ Concept

The priest raised his hands to bless the newlyweds at the altar.

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🎀Pronunciation

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US/bles/
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK/bles/

🌳Etymology

Rootbless

Origin

The word derives from Old English 'blΔ“dsian', originally meaning 'to consecrate with blood'. It originated in Germanic religious practices where the blood of sacrificial offerings was sprinkled to sanctify objects or persons, gradually evolving to encompass the broader sense of religious blessing and divine favor.

Breakdown

blΔ“d- (blood) + -sian (causative suffix meaning 'to make' or 'to cause'). The root reflects Proto-Germanic practices of blood consecration, with the causative suffix transforming it into a verbal action meaning 'to make holy through blood'.

🎡Rhyme

dressstressmesslessguess
dress
stress
mess
less
guess

πŸ”—Collocations

bless someone with something
God bless you
blessed memory
count one's blessings
blessed with talent

πŸ“Examples

πŸ˜„ Fun example

β€œMay God bless your exam results... especially if you didn't study!”

πŸ˜„ Fun example

β€œShe felt blessed to find a parking spot in downtown Seoul.”

πŸ˜„ Fun example

β€œThe teacher blessed us with a surprise test on Monday morning.”

β€œThe couple was blessed with twins after years of waiting.”

πŸ“šRelated Words

Synonyms

sanctifyconsecratepraisefavorgrace

Antonyms

cursedamncondemn

Related

blessingblessedprayerdivineholysacred

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