Also 5 -dyctyon, 5–6 -diccion. [ad. L. benedictiōn-em, n. of action f. benedict-; see BENEDICT and -TION. Cf. F. bénédiction (16th c. in Littré, replacing the regular beneiçon, beneisson, whence Eng. BENISON).]
1. The utterance of a blessing; solemn invocation of blessedness upon a person; devout expression of a wish for the happiness, prosperity or success of a person or enterprise: a. gen.
1432–50. trans. Higden (1865), I. 377. He openethe the durre with a benediccion, makenge the durre sure after hym.
1485. Caxton, Paris & V. (1868), 51. Gyue to me your benedyctyon.
1552. Huloet, Benediction, benedictio.
1605. Shaks., Lear, IV. vii. 58. Hold your hand in benediction o’re me.
1752. Johnson, Rambl., No. 204, ¶ 2. Thy path perfumed by the breath of benediction.
1860. Froude, Hist. Eng., V. 329. Amidst the benedictions of tens of thousands of people.
b. as officially pronounced by an ecclesiastical functionary; spec. the ceremony of consecration of an abbot.
1638. Penit. Conf., xi. (1657), 306. The Priest is to marry him and to give the Benediction.
1679. Season. Adv. Protest., 11. This Catholick Religion, and Holy Cause sanctified by the Popes Benediction.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 13 (J.). What Consecration is to a Bishop, that Benediction is to an Abbot.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., II. xlv. 671. Their choice was sanctified by the benediction of the patriarch.
1802. Fosbrooke, Brit. Monachism (1843), 86. Between the election and benediction the Abbot used the Prior’s chamber.
c. as pronounced by the officiating minister at the conclusion of divine worship.
1549. Bk. Com. Prayer, Ord. Deacons (Rubr.), After the last Collect, and immediately before the benediction, shall be said these collects.
1622. Sparrow, Bk. Com. Prayer (1843), 266. A most excellent and pious benediction of the priest concludes all.
1856. Longf., Day is Done, ix. Such songs … come like the benediction That follows after prayer.
d. as an expression of thanks; spec. as ‘grace’ before or after meals.
1671. Milton, P. R., III. 127. Of whom what could he less expect Than glory and benediction—that is, thanks.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Benediction is still applied to the act of saying grace before or after meals.
1806. Wordsw., Ode Immort., 135. The thought of our past years in me doth breed Perpetual benediction.
1818. Lamb, Elia, Grace bef. Meat. The form, then, of the benediction before eating has its beauty at a poor man’s table.
e. as a service in the Roman Catholic Church.
1812. P. Gandolphy, Liturgy Com. Prayers (1815), 227. An Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving In honour of the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, commonly called Benediction.
1853. Faber, All for Jesus, 6. Even in the churches during Mass or Benediction, they are hard at work.
1884. Addis & Arnold, Cath. Dict., Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, a rite which has now become very common in the Catholic Church.
2. Blessing carried into practical effect, blessedness; kindly favor, grace.
1483. Caxton, Cato, E j. That we may haue his glorye and benediccion at the end of our dayes.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 69. We shall neuer be parteners … of the benediccyon of the whiche the sone of god spake.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 614. As if my Trinkets had beene hallowed, and brought a benediction to the buyer.
1702. Eng. Theophrast., 73. The inward joy of contemplating the Benedictions of another World.
1872. Ruskin, Fors Clav., II. xviii. 5. Has had at least some measure of Christian Benediction.
