Main Entry: bene·dic·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌbe-nə-ˈdik-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English benediccioun, from Late Latin benediction-, benedictio, from benedicere to bless, from Latin, to speak well of, from bene well (akin to Latin bonus good) + dicere to say — more at bounty, diction

Date: 15th century

1 : the invocation of a blessing; especially : the short blessing with which public worship is concluded
2 : something that promotes goodness or well-being
3 often capitalized : a Roman Catholic or Anglo-Catholic devotion including the exposition of the eucharistic Host in the monstrance and the blessing of the people with it
4 : an expression of good wishes