"benison" - Word of the Day from the OED

OED Online Word of the Day

Now available: the Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary

This new print publication provides a unique resource for scholars researching linguistic and literary history, the history of the language, social history, and more. Read more and see a sample page.

"An indispensable tool for writers." –School Library Journal.

The updated Second Edition of the Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus is more exceptional than ever, solidifying its place as the one thesaurus writers at all levels will want to have. A perfect graduation gift!

---

benison

SECOND EDITION 1989

(bnsn)  Forms: 3 beneysun, 3-4 benesun, -nis(s)un, -niscon, -un, 3-5 beneson, 4 benisone, -sune, benesoun, -isoun, -ysoun, -yssoun, 4-5 benyson, 5 beneyson, benzown, 5-6 benysone, 6 bennysoun, benizon, 8-9 Sc. bennison, 4- benison. [ME. beneysun, etc., a. OF. beneiçun, -çon, -sson, son, -zon:L. benedictin-em. Dr. Johnson says, ‘not now (1755) used, unless ludicrously.’ But it is now common as a poetic or quaint form of benediction.] 

    1. Blessing, beatitude.    a. That blessing which God gives; a giving of blessedness.

a1300 Cursor M. 3345 On morn wit godds beniscon Was mai rebecca lede o ton. Ibid. 264 [He] sal haue pardon And part of cristes benison. 1394 P. Pl. Crede 654 Alle at persecution in pure lijf suffren, ei han e benison of god blissed in ere. 1605 SHAKES. Lear IV. vi. 228 The bountie, and the benizon of Heauen To boot, and boot. 1632 BROME North. Lasse II. iv. Wks. 1873 III. 33 Now Gods benison light o'ye for it. 1642 JER. TAYLOR Episc. (1647) Pref., The most glorious issues of Divine Benison upon this Kingdome.

    b. That which any one receives; beatitude.

a1400 Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867) 29 airs es e joye of heuene, ffor at es e benysone of e pure. 1724 RAMSAY Tea-t. Misc. (1733) II. 170 There is nae bennison like mine, I have amaist nae care. 1851 MRS. BROWNING Casa Guidi Wind. II, Her patriot Dead have benison.

    2. The pronouncing or invocation of a blessing; benediction.    a. gen. = BENEDICTION 1. In early usage esp. that of a father; approaching 1a.

a1300 Cursor M. 5356 Quen he was til his ending bun I had his brad beniscun. Ibid. 5461 His suns blessed he on rau, He gaue ilkan seir benissun. c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 3485 Tharfore, son, for my benzown, Tel vs al now that resown. 1382 WYCLIF Gen. xxxii. 12 Y drede lest he brynge on me malysoun for benysoun. 1568 Jacob & Esau IV. i. in Hazl. Dodsl. II. 230 Kill him some venison, Which brought and dressed, he is to have his benison. 1649 JER. TAYLOR Gt. Exempt. III. xiv. 27. 1767 FAWKES Theocritus xvii. (R.) Twelve noble virgins..pleas'd the vocal benison to shower. 1815 SOUTHEY Roderick III. 72 Short interchange of benison As each to other gentle travellers give. 1828 SCOTT F.M. Perth xv, I have slept sound under such a benison.

    b. ecclesiastical; = BENEDICTION 1b. Obs.

a1340 HAMPOLE Pr. Consc. 3405 Benyssoun of bisshope of his dignité; And benyssoun of prest, at gyyen es Namly, in e end of e mes. 1387 TREVISA Higden Rolls Ser. VI. 411 Noer he was..i-hit wi sacrynge and benesouns 1513 BRADSHAW St. Werburge (1848) 90 They toke lycence and had the popes benesoun.

fig. (ironical) 1592 GREENE Upst. Courtier, Bending his staffe as if he meant..to bestow his benison.

    c. Grace before meat; = BENEDICTION 1d. Obs.

a1300 Havelok 1723 Thanne [he] were set, and bord leyd, And the beneysun was seyd.

    3. Disposition to bless; graciousness, grace, benignity. Obs.

c1450 Lay-Folks Mass-Bk, F. 352, I pray him of his benisoun..Sey a pater-noster for the writere.

To cancel this service, send a message to wotd@oed.com consisting of the text signoff oedwotd-l and leave the subject line blank . Alternatively, use this unsubscribe mail link.

Written requests to unsubscribe may be sent to:

Online Products
Oxford University Press
Great Clarendon Street
Oxford OX2 6DP
UK

Visit the OED's home page at www.oed.com

Copyright © Oxford University Press 2008

Oxford University Press (UK) Disclaimer

This message is confidential. You should not copy it or disclose its contents to anyone. You may use and apply the information for the intended purpose only. OUP does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. Any views or opinions presented are those of the author only and not of OUP. If this email has come to you in error, please delete it, along with any attachments. Please note that OUP may intercept incoming and outgoing email communications.