/ bles; NAmE / verb , exclamation
■ verb ( blessed , blessed / blest; NAmE /) [ vn ]
1.
to ask God to protect sb/sth :
They brought the children to Jesus and he blessed them.
God bless you!
2.
to make sth holy by saying a prayer over it :
The priest blessed the bread and wine.
3.
( formal ) to call God holy; to praise God :
We bless your holy name, O Lord.
4.
( old-fashioned , informal ) used to express surprise :
Bless my soul! Here comes Bill!
'Where's Joe?' 'I'm blessed if I know (= I don't know) !'
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IDIOMS
- be blessed with sth/sb
- bless you
- bless you, her, him, etc.
—more at god
■ exclamation
( BrE , sometimes humorous ) used to show affection towards sb because of sth they have done
'He bought us all a present.' 'Oh, bless!'
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English blēdsian , blētsian , based on blōd blood (i.e. originally perhaps mark or consecrate with blood ). The meaning was influenced by its being used to translate Latin benedicere to praise, worship, and later by association with bliss .