- The act of blessing. - A blessing; an expression of blessing, prayer, or kind
wishes in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or affectionate
invocation of happiness. - The short prayer which closes public worship; as, to
give the benediction. - The form of instituting an abbot, answering to the
consecration of a bishop. - A solemn rite by which bells, banners, candles, etc.,
are blessed with holy water, and formally dedicated to God.