Forms: 3 beneysun, 3–4 benesun, -nis(s)un, -niscon, -un, 3–5 beneson, 4 benisone, -sune, benesoun, -isoun, -ysoun, -yssoun, 4–5 benyson, 5 beneyson, benzown, 5–6 benysone, 6 bennysoun, benizon, 8–9 Sc. bennison, 4– benison. [ME. beneysun, etc., a. OF. beneiçun, -çon, -sson, son, -zon:—L. benedictiōn-em. Dr. Johnson says, ‘not now (1755), used, unless ludicrously.’ But it is now common as a poetic or quaint form of benediction.]
1. Blessing, beatitude. a. That blessing which God gives; a giving of blessedness.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3345. On morn wit godds beniscon Was mai rebecca lede o ton. Ibid., 264. [He] sal haue pardon And part of cristes benison.
1394. P. Pl. Crede, 654. Alle þat persecution in pure lijf suffren, Þei han þe benison of god blissed in erþe.
1605. Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 228. The bountie, and the benizon of Heauen To boot, and boot.
1632. Brome, North. Lasse, II. iv. Wks. 1873, III. 33. Now Gods benison light o’ye for it.
1642. Jer. Taylor, Episc. (1647), Pref. The most glorious issues of Divine Benison upon this Kingdome.
b. That which any one receives; beatitude.
a. 1400. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867), 29. Þairs es þe joye of heuene, ffor þat es þe benysone of þe pure.
1724. Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), II. 170. There is nae bennison like mine, I have amaist nae care.
1851. Mrs. Browning, Casa Guidi Wind., II. Her patriot Dead have benison.
2. The pronouncing or invocation of a blessing; benediction. a. gen. = BENEDICTION 1. In early usage esp. that of a father; approaching 1 a.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5356. Quen he was til his ending bun I had his brad beniscun. Ibid., 5461. His suns blessed he on rau, He gaue ilkan seir benissun.
c. 1320. Seuyn Sages (W.), 3485. Tharfore, son, for my benzown, Tel vs al now that resown.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xxxii. 12. Y drede lest he brynge on me malysoun for benysoun.
1568. Jacob & Esau, IV. i. in Hazl., Dodsl., II. 230. Kill him some venison, Which brought and dressed, he is to have his benison.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., III. xiv. 27. He preferres … a dish of red lentill pottage before a benison.
1767. Fawkes, Theocritus, xvii. (R.). Twelve noble virgins … pleas’d the vocal benison to shower.
1815. Southey, Roderick, III. 72. Short interchange of benison As each to other gentle travellers give.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xv. I have slept sound under such a benison.
† b. ecclesiastical; = BENEDICTION 1 b. Obs.
a. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 3405. Benyssoun of bisshope of his dignité; And benyssoun of prest, þat gyyen es Namly, in þe end of þe mes.
1387. Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. VI. 411. Noþer he was … i-hiȝt wiþ sacrynge and benesouns.
1513. Bradshaw, St. Werburge (1848), 90. They toke lycence and had the popes benesoun.
fig. (ironical) 1592. Greene, Upst. Courtier. Bending his staffe as if he meant … to bestow his benison.
† c. Grace before meat; = BENEDICTION 1 d. Obs.
a. 1300. Havelok, 1723. Thanne [he] were set, and bord leyd, And the beneysun was seyd.
† 3. Disposition to bless; graciousness, grace, benignity. Obs.
c. 1450. Lay-Folks Mass-bk., F. 352. I pray him of his benisoun … Sey a pater-noster for the writere.
