benediction

views updated May 11 2018

ben·e·dic·tion / ˌbeniˈdikshən/ • n. the utterance or bestowing of a blessing, esp. at the end of a religious service. ∎ (Benediction) a service in which the congregation is blessed with the Blessed Sacrament, held mainly in the Roman Catholic Church. ∎ devout or formal invocation of blessedness: her arms outstretched in benediction. ∎ the state of being blessed: he eventually wins benediction.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Benediction

views updated May 21 2018

Benediction (with the Blessed Sacrament). Catholic eucharistic devotion. As a separate evening service, benediction is first found in the 15th cent. In the modern service in its most solemn form, the consecrated host is exposed to view in a monstrance; hymns are sung; the sacrament is censed twice; and the priest blesses the congregation with it. See also REAL PRESENCE; EXPOSITION.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions JOHN BOWKER

Benediction

views updated May 11 2018

Benediction a service in which the congregation is blessed with the Blessed Sacrament (see sacrament), held mainly in the Roman Catholic Church.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

benediction

views updated May 18 2018

benediction XV. — (O)F. bénédiction — L. benedictiō, -ōn-, f. benedīcere, benedict- bless, f. bene well + dīcere speak (see DICTION).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD