# blessing

Pronunciation: say "BLES-ing" /ˈblɛs.ɪŋ/

## Noun

1. A fortunate circumstance or piece of good luck.
   - Simple: Good luck or a happy thing that comes to you, often without warning.
   - _Having such supportive neighbors has been a blessing throughout the year._
   - _The unexpected rain was a blessing for the drought-stricken farms._
2. Something one is grateful for or glad to have.
   - Simple: Something good that you are happy and thankful to have.
   - _A good night's sleep is a blessing he no longer takes for granted._
   - _Clean drinking water is a blessing that many people overlook._
3. An act of approving something or giving favor to a person or plan.
   - Simple: Approval or permission that someone gives for a plan or action.
   - _The committee gave its blessing to the new development plan._
   - _She moved abroad with her family's blessing._
4. A spoken pronouncement that calls for divine aid or protection.
   - Simple: Words spoken to ask God to help or protect someone.
   - _The bishop delivered a blessing upon the congregation._
   - _Sailors received a blessing before setting out to sea._
5. Divine or supernatural aid, or a reward granted by a higher power.
   - Simple: Help or a reward that comes from God or a higher power.
   - _Many cultures view a child's birth as a blessing from the gods._
   - _The villagers thanked the heavens for the blessing of rain._
6. A short prayer of thanks said before a meal; grace.
   - Simple: A short prayer said before eating a meal.
   - _The family paused to say a blessing before the holiday feast._
   - _He was asked to offer the blessing at Thanksgiving dinner._
8. A ceremony in modern paganism performed to consecrate, celebrate, or honor a person, place, or event.
   - Simple: A modern pagan ceremony held to celebrate or give thanks for something.
   - _The coven gathered at dawn for a blessing of the newborn._
   - _Their handfasting included a blessing led by the high priestess._
9. A group of unicorns regarded collectively.
   - Simple: A group of unicorns, the kind found in stories and legends.
   - _Old legends describe a blessing of unicorns appearing only to the pure of heart._
   - _In the tapestry, a blessing of unicorns surrounds a maiden in a walled garden._

## Verb

7. Present participle and gerund of bless. — present participle and gerund of bless
   - Simple: Present participle of bless. Use this -ing form when the act of blessing is happening right now.
   - _The crowd watched the pope blessing the gathered pilgrims._
   - _Blessing the harvest was an annual tradition in the village._

## Origin

From Middle English blessinge, from Old English blētsung ("a blessing"), equivalent to bless + -ing.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/blessing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).