blessing

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the formal act of approving

   I gave the project my blessing.

2. 2
   noun

   a desirable state

   enjoy the blessings of peace

3. 3
   noun

   Some kind of divine or supernatural aid, or reward.

   Henceforth, wherever thou may’st roam, ⁠My blessing, like a line of light, ⁠Is on the waters day and night, And like a beacon guards thee home.

4. 4
   noun

   A pronouncement invoking divine aid.

   Then everybody once more knelt, and soon the blessing was pronounced. The choir and the clergy trooped out slowly, […], down the nave to the western door. […] At a seemingly immense distance the surpliced group stopped to say the last prayer.

5. 5
   noun

   Good fortune.

   He was given blessings hoping he would pass his final exam.

6. 6
   noun

   The act of declaring or bestowing favor; approval.

   We will not proceed without the executive director's blessing.

7. 7
   noun

   Something someone is glad of.

   After two weeks of sun, last night's rainfall was a blessing.

8. 8
   noun

   A group of unicorns.

   And since we’re laying out our wishes, we’d also like a blessing of unicorns and one million dollars.

Etymology

From Middle English blessinge, blessynge, from Old English blētsung, blēdsung (“a blessing”), equivalent to bless + -ing.