ˌbenəˈdikshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English benediccioun, from Late Latin benediction-, benedictio, from benedictus (past participle of benedicere to bless, from Latin bene dicere to praise, speak well, from bene well + dicere to say) + Latin -ion, -io -ion — more at bounty , diction
1. : an expression or utterance of blessing or good wishes
departing with his parents' benediction
yearning for the benediction of the New York critics — Time
2. : the invocation of a blessing on persons or things being dedicated to God: as
a. : the short blessing pronounced by a clergyman with which public worship is concluded
b. : the blessing before or after meals
c. : the Roman Catholic rite of solemnly blessing and hallowing (as a person or house) or of solemnly blessing and dedicating (as bells or vestments intended for sacred use)
3. : a Roman Catholic service consisting of the exposition of the eucharistic Host in the monstrance, the incensing of the exposed Host, at least one prescribed hymn, sometimes a prayer, and the blessing of the people by a formal sign of the cross made with the monstrance containing the Host
4. : something that blesses or promotes goodness, well-being, or betterment
the Mexican sun is no pleasant benediction like our northern sun — Gertrude Diamant
5. : a prayer or scripture passage pronounced to dismiss a meeting