Bless

Pronunciation

• IPA: /blÉ›s/ enPR: blÄ•s
• Rhymes: -É›s

From Middle English blessen, from Old English blētsian, blēdsian ("to consecrate (with blood)"), from Proto-Germanic *blōþisōną ("to sprinkle, mark or hallow with blood"), from *blōþą ("blood"), from Proto-Indo-European *bhlo-to- ("to gush, spurt"), from *bhol-, *bhlē-dh-, *bhlō(w)- ("to thrive, flourish, bloom"). Cognate with Old Norse bletza ("to bless") (whence Icelandic blessa), Old English blēdan ("to bleed"). More at bleed.

Full definition of bless

Verb

1. To make something blessed; to confer blessing upon.
2. To make the sign of the cross upon; to cross (oneself).
3. To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
• Bible, Jer. iv. 3The nations shall bless themselves in him.
4. (obsolete) To wave; to brandish.
• SpenserAnd burning blades about their heads do bless.
• FairfaxRound his armed head his trenchant blade he blest.
5. (Perl programming, transitive) (past tense only blessed) To turn (a reference) into an object.
6. (archaic) To secure, defend, or preserve from.
• ShakespeareBless me from marrying a usurer.
• Miltonto bless the doors from nightly harm

Antonyms

• curse
• condemn
• (programming) unbless

Related terms

• blessed
• blessing

An ellipsis for an expression such as bless your heart

Interjection

1. (UK, informal) Used as an expression of endearment, or (ironically) belittlement.
• 1998, "Peter Coffey", New Alternative View Of Atomic Structure (on Internet newsgroup sci.chem)Ah bless! You must be the welcoming committee for anyone who dares express ignorance.
• 2000, "Hellraiser" (on Internet newsgroup uk.people.teens)oh bless. *hug* that is not true. nobody here bears a grudge against 13 year old dear or against you.
• 2001, "Will", Am I still here? (on Internet newsgroup uk.religion.pagan)Aw bless... have white chocolate fudge muffin....a new batch.... made them last night after Nigella....

Anagrams

• slebs