(a) Of God, Christ: to bestow divine favor upon (sb., sth.), confer divine blessing upon (sb.); endow with (sth.); make (a nation, the earth) flourish or prosper, grant well-being or success; bless spiritually; (b) to choose (sb.) for eternal blessedness, grant (someone's soul) bliss of heaven, beatify; theol. endow (God the Son or the Holy Ghost) with divine bliss; (c) as an invocation or greeting: God (Christ) the blesse, God bless you!; blessed mot ȝe be, may you enjoy God's blessing!; God blesse his soule, God rest his soul!; etc.

Of a bishop, priest, etc.: (a) to pronounce a solemn blessing on (sb.), confer an ecclesiastical or patriarchal blessing; (b) to ask or desire God's blessing for (sb.); also, wish well to; show favor, do good to (sb.); (c) to ask God's blessing; ~ mete (bred), say grace over one's food.

(a) To make (sb.) fortunate or happy, be a blessing to; regard (sb.) as fortunate; (b) to order (one's conduct) well; (c) ?to bring into agreement.

(a) To deliver (sb. from evil, etc.); (b) to protect (from sth.), guard (against sth.).

To bless (sb., oneself) with the sign of the Cross; make the sign of the Cross; cross (oneself); ~ with the left hand, to curse.

(a) To make or pronounce (sth.) holy, hallow; consecrate by a religious rite, dedicate to religious use; (b) to consecrate (sb.) to (religious office), invest with the dignity of (bishop, abbot, king).

(a) To worship (a deity); glorify, extol; (b) to render thanks to (God), praise gratefully; (c) to give thanks to (sb.), salute, be grateful; say thanks for (sth.), express gratitude; (d) to curse (sb.).