Definition

Noun: 1. A spoken blessing, especially a formal or solemn one: A benison is a blessing that is pronounced or spoken aloud, often in a religious or ceremonial context. It implies the act of invoking divine favor, protection, or grace upon someone or something through words.

Examples of Usage

• The priest concluded the ceremony with a benison for the newly married couple.
• In the old tale, the wise woman gave the traveler a benison for a safe journey.
• He received his father's benison before leaving for the distant land.

Advanced Usage

• "To give/pronounce a benison": This is the standard construction for using the word, emphasizing the act of bestowing the spoken blessing.
  • The elder gave his benison to the new leader of the community.
• The word is considered archaic or literary in modern English. It is rarely used in everyday conversation but appears in historical texts, poetry, and formal or religious writing to evoke a sense of tradition or solemnity.

Variants and Related Words

• Benediction (noun): A very close synonym, also meaning a blessing, especially one given at the end of a religious service. While often interchangeable, "benediction" is more commonly used in contemporary religious contexts than "benison."
• Blessing (noun): The more common and general modern term for an act of asking for or bestowing divine favor, or for something that brings happiness or good fortune.

Synonyms

• Blessing
• Benediction
• Grace (in the context of a prayer of thanks or blessing)
• Invocation (when calling for divine blessing)

Antonyms

• Curse
• Malediction
• Execration

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "With someone's benison": With someone's blessing or approval.
  • He undertook the quest with the king's benison.
• "To seek someone's benison": To seek someone's formal approval or blessing.
  • The knight sought the queen's benison before the battle.

Noun

1. a spoken blessing