bless — 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.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old English 'blēdsian', 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
blēd- (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
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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.”
“The couple was blessed with twins after years of waiting.”
📚Related Words
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