— blesser , n. — blessingly , adv.
/bles/ , v.t., blessed or blest, blessing .
1. to consecrate or sanctify by a religious rite; make or pronounce holy.
2. to request of God the bestowal of divine favor on: Bless this house.
3. to bestow good of any kind upon: a nation blessed with peace.
4. to extol as holy; glorify: Bless the name of the Lord.
5. to protect or guard from evil (usually used interjectionally): Bless you! Bless your innocent little heart!
6. to condemn or curse: I'll be blessed if I can see your reasoning. Bless me if it isn't my old friend!
7. to make the sign of the cross over or upon: The Pope blessed the multitude.
[ bef. 950; ME blessen, OE bletsian, bledsian to consecrate, orig. with blood, earlier * blodisoian ( blod BLOOD + -iso- derivational suffix + -ian v. suffix) ]
Syn. 1. exalt, hallow, glorify, magnify, beatify.