n.
Pronunciation: ˌ be-n ə - ' dik-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English benediccioun, from Late Latin benediction-, benedictio, from benedicere to bless, from Latin, to speak well of, from bene well (akin to Latin bonus good) + dicere to say ― more at BOUNTY , DICTION
Date: 15th century
1 : the invocation of a blessing especially : the short blessing with which public worship is concluded
2 : something that promotes goodness or well-being
3 often capitalized : a Roman Catholic or Anglo-Catholic devotion including the exposition of the eucharistic Host in the monstrance and the blessing of the people with it
4 : an expression of good wishes