blessing

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The act of one that blesses.
2. n. A short prayer said before or after a meal; grace.
3. n. Something promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity; a boon.
4. n. Approbation; approval: This plan has my blessing.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The act of invoking or pronouncing happiness upon another or others; benediction. Specifically, in the Latin and Greek churches, the act of pronouncing a benediction on the laity or inferior clergy, performed by a bishop or other priest. In the Roman Catholic Church, the blessing is now given with all the fingers joined and extended, but formerly with the thumb and the first two fingers of the right hand extended and the two remaining fingers turned down. In the Greek Church, the thumb and the third finger of the same hand are joined, the other fingers being extended. Some Eastern writers see in this position a symbol of the Greek sacred monogram of the name of Christ. In either case the three fingers (or two fingers and thumb) extended symbolize the Trinity. In the Anglican Church, either the former or the present Latin gesture is used.
2. n. The form of words used in this invocation or declaration; a (or the) benediction.
3. n. The bestowal of divine favor, or of hallowing, protecting, or prospering influences: as, to ask God's blessing on any undertaking.
4. n. A temporal or spiritual benefit; anything which makes happy or prosperous; something to be thankful for; a boon or mercy: as, the blessings of life, of health, or of civilization; it is a blessing we fared so well.
5. n. Euphemistically, a curse; a scolding; a castigation with words.

Wiktionary

1. n. some kind of divine or supernatural aid, or reward.
2. n. a pronouncement invoking divine aid.
3. n. good fortune.
4. n. paganism a modern pagan ceremony.
5. n. the act of declaring or bestowing favor; approval.
6. n. a thing one is glad of
7. n. a prayer before a meal; grace
8. n. a group of unicorns.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. The act of one who blesses.
2. n. A declaration of divine favor, or an invocation imploring divine favor on some or something; a benediction; a wish of happiness pronounces.
3. n. A means of happiness; that which promotes prosperity and welfare; a beneficent gift.
4. n. (Bib.), A Hebraism A gift.
5. n. Grateful praise or worship.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. the formal act of approving
2. n. a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
3. n. a short prayer of thanks before a meal
4. n. the act of praying for divine protection
5. n. a desirable state