benediction
UK/,beni'dikʃən/US/.beni'dikʃәn/
GREC1
Definitions
n.
A blessing, especially a prayer said at the end of a religious service
祝福，祝祷
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedbene- (well) + dict (say) + -ion = 'a saying-well,' good words spoken over someone. A benediction is literally a 'good-saying' — a blessing pronounced, usually to close a church service.
Root dic still carries 82 more wordsWhy It Means This
The perfect mirror to malediction. bene 'well' + dict 'say' = words spoken for someone's good. Pair them and the prefix system clicks: bene-diction (blessing) vs male-diction (curse) — the same 'saying,' aimed for good or for ill.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The priest gave a benediction before the congregation left.
- 2.
Her kind words felt like a benediction at the end of a hard year.