Etymology From Middle English blessen, from Old English bletsian (“to consecrate (with blood)”), from Proto-West Germanic *blōdisōn (“to sprinkle, mark or hallow with blood”), from Proto-Germanic *blōþą (“blood”), of uncertain origin, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (“to bloom”). Cognate with Old Norse bleza (“to bless”) (whence Icelandic blessa), Old English blēdan (“to bleed”). More at bleed.
To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
2
To invoke divine favor upon.
In some countries, priests bless farm animals on St. Anthony's Day.
In many families, a grace is said before dinner to give thanks for and bless the food.
3
To honor as holy, glorify; to extol for excellence.
A Pſalme of Dauid. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoule: and all that is within me, bleſſe his holy Name.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 103:1, column 2:
4
To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
And thou ſhalt ſweare, The Lord liueth, in Trueth, in Iudgement, and in Righteouſnes, and the nations ſhall bleſſe themſelues in him, and in him ſhall they glorie.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jeremiah 4:2, column 1:
5
Christianity To make the sign of the cross upon, so as to sanctify.
the archbishop vsing certeine praiers, blessed the king1577, Raphaell Holinshed, The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Harrison, →OCLC:
And burning blades about their heads do blesse.1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto V”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 6:
Round his armed head his trenchant blade he blest.1600, [Torquato Tasso], “(please specify |book=1 to 20)”, in Edward Fairefax [i.e., Edward Fairfax], transl., Godfrey of Bulloigne, or The Recouerie of Ierusalem. […], London: […] Ar[nold] Hatfield, for I[saac] Iaggard and M[atthew] Lownes, →OCLC:
7
To turn (a reference) into an object.
Perl programming; past tense only blessed; Perl programming; past tense only blessed
8
Archaic, With from To secure, defend, or prevent from.
Bless me from marrying a usurer.c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]:
To bleſs the dores from nightly harma. 1645, John Milton, “Il Penseroso”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC, page 40:
Could you bless me the link for the original post?
I'm actually marved right now, can you bless me some cash?
4 more examples
Ahlie fam ¶ Do u have grabba? ¶ Bless me a change for the ttc2021 April 13, u/saltymotherfker, “Popular male in a Toronto high school starterpack”, in Reddit, r/starterpacks, archived from the original on 03 Dec 2023:
How in the hell did you find that out LOL😂. Are you a working man there? If so, bless me a discount bro. If not yeah Pickering is the way to go. Went to Whitby and Toronto wasn't that good2022 July 28, u/RedditUser19070203, “First ever car at 19! Tried my best to negotiate how did I do? That stupid 1 year anti theft was forced and I couldn't remove it. Did get a 650 rebate on a Jetta which is pretty tough tbh”, in Reddit, r/jetta, archived from the original on 03 Dec 2023:
Lmao can you bless me a Foam runner w retail price man🙃. I wear size 9 lol. Huge fan of your channel.2022 August 7, u/introverted_logician, “Anyone know any Canadian sneaker YouTubers?”, in Reddit, r/SneakersCanada, archived from the original on 03 Dec 2023:
Someone bless me a code2022 September 28, u/MyTorontoAccount, “Did anyone get presale code yet”, in Reddit, r/torontoraptors, archived from the original on 03 Dec 2023:
10
To approve of or assent to.
After those modifications, the Board blessed the reorganization plan.
11
Philippines To perform the mano gesture; taking of an elder's hand to press it to one's forehead or kiss it (as a sign of respect)
You should bless your relatives, because they arrived here already.
Etymology An ellipsis for an expression such as bless your heart.
1
Canada, UK, Informal Used as an expression of endearment, gratitude, or (ironically) belittlement.
Ah bless! You must be the welcoming committee for anyone who dares express ignorance.1998, Peter Coffey, “New Alternative View Of Atomic Structure”, in sci.chem (Usenet):
oh bless. *hug* that is not true. nobody here bears a grudge against 13 year old dear or against you.2000, Hellraiser, uk.people.teens (Usenet):
1 more example
Aw bless... have white chocolate fudge muffin....a new batch.... made them last night after Nigella....2001, Will, “Am I still here?”, in uk.religion.pagan (Usenet):