blesses

verbsanctify
verbgrant, bestow

Synonyms for blesses

verb sanctify

Antonyms for blesses

Word Origin & History

Old English bletsian, bledsian, Northumbrian bloedsian "to consecrate, make holy, give thanks," from Proto-Germanic *blodison "hallow with blood, mark with blood," from *blotham "blood" (see blood).

Originally a blood sprinkling on pagan altars. This word was chosen in Old English bibles to translate Latin benedicere and Greek eulogein, both of which have a ground sense of "to speak well of, to praise," but were used in Scripture to translate Hebrew brk "to bend (the knee), worship, praise, invoke blessings." Meaning shifted in late Old English toward "pronounce or make happy," by resemblance to unrelated bliss. No cognates in other languages. Related: Blessed; blessing.

Example Sentences for blesses

At length, he is persuaded--he blesses him, and eats the venison.

After which he blesses 'em, an' reeports the last cinch fastened.

Yes, and I will not let him go until he blesses me—like Jacob at Peniel.

He blesses them both and foretells peace, brotherly love and happiness.

Who is it that it blesses; makes happier, wiser, beautifuler, in any way better?

He calls on himself to curse the Astrée, but he, sometimes at least, blesses it.

Fate boots her from pillar to post and she blesses Fate and is much obliged.

The local cur, with the permission of the bishop, then blesses the fields.

God, you see, blesses the springing thereof—may he bless it through you!

However feeble the faith, he blesses "the springing thereof."