bless
UK: blɛs | US: blɛs
vt. to confer or invoke divine favor upon
vt. to make holy or sacred
vt. to express gratitude or joy (e.g., "Bless you!")
bless = bles<blood> + (no suffix)
- bles (Old English blēdsian, derived from blōd "blood") originally referred to consecration by sprinkling blood in pagan rituals.
- Over time, the term Christianized to mean "to make holy" through divine grace, losing its literal blood association.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Proto-Germanic blōþisōną ("to mark with blood"), reflecting ancient sacrificial rites. By the 12th century, it shifted to spiritual sanctification in English, aligning with Latin benedīcere ("to speak well of"). The evolution mirrors cultural transitions from literal rituals to abstract blessings.
The priest will bless the newlyweds after the ceremony.
She sneezed, and her friend said, "Bless you!"
The rabbi blessed the bread before the meal.
Ancient tribes used to bless their weapons before battle.
"Bless your heart," she sighed, patting the child’s head.