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Glite Dictionary
benediction

benediction

12 8.1
A short prayer asking for God's help at the end of a service
  • noun
  • /ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən/
translation icon : bendición
  • We thank you for that beautiful benediction.
  • invocations and benedictions
  • gesture of benediction

And now I please ask, I please ask that you stand, if you are able, for the Stanford hymn and the benediction.

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Examples

  • Deacon, would you lead us in a benediction?

    Fire Down Below (1997)

  • Some of the blessings directed at Amir are more akin to benedictions (i.e., May he be healthy).

    Academic text (1991)

  • Are you going to give the benediction tonight, Father?

    The Fog (1980)

  • The president followed this with a pastoral benediction based on the words of Dr. King:

    Academic text (1996)

  • A Church of the Holy Road preacher from Davis gave the benediction, and the ceremonies were over.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Danny chants the entire prayer, and the moment it ends, the rabbi begins the benediction.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • As the Reverend's prayer goes on, all heads are bowed to receive the benediction.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The priest pronounced a benediction, and the congregation straggled down the aisle and out into the sunshine.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Following the benediction, the procession retraces its dusty route, in step with the devout multitudes.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Are you going to give the benediction tonight, Father?

Synonyms

prayer
vsbenediction
187 1.7

A set of words said during a religious service

is a closing request for help and protection rather than a fixed recited text
blessing
vsbenediction
79 1.8

A short prayer asking God or a higher power for help

is spoken at the end of a religious service rather than used any time
invocation
vsbenediction
  • Formal
9 7.4

A short prayer asking for help or blessing at the start of a service

is used at the end of a religious service rather than at its start

Antonyms

curse
  • Literature
262 5.5

A magic spell that brings harm to a person or thing

How Formal

benediction
12 8.1
invocation
  • Formal
9 7.4
blessing
79 1.8
prayer
530 1.0

Surface Forms

benediction singular
benedictions plural

Morphology

benediction = diction (semi-transparent) = bene + diction

The form 'bene-' (good) plus 'diction' (speech) yields 'good speaking' which relates to 'blessing', but the combining forms are Latin-derived and not fully obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Benediction comes from Latin parts bene ('well') and dicere ('to say'). The same root appears in words like dictionary and dictate, so a benediction is literally 'saying well' and is a short prayer that speaks good wishes or asks for God's help.