benedicite

See also: Benedicite and bénédicité

English

Noun

benedicite (plural benedicites)

1. Alternative letter-case form of Benedicite

Italian

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin benedīcite, a plural imperative of benedīcō (“to bless, to praise”) found as the first word of several grace prayers. Doublet of benedite, second-person plural imperative of benedire.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /be.neˈdi.t͡ʃi.te/
• Rhymes: -itʃite
• Hyphenation: be‧ne‧dì‧ci‧te

Noun

benedicite m (invariable)

1. (especially in convents) grace (prayer said before a meal)

Coordinate terms

• rendere grazie

Further reading

• benedicite in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana

Latin

Verb

benedīcite

1. second-person plural present active imperative of benedīcō

References

• benedicite in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887)

Middle English

FWOTD – 6 July 2022

Alternative forms

• bendicite, bendiste, benediste, benedicitee, benedycyte, benste

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin benedīcite, a plural imperative of benedīcō (“I bless, I praise”), through an Old French form. Compare Modern English Benedicite.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɛniˈdisiteː/, /bɛn(ə)ˈdisteː/, /ˈbɛnsteː/

Noun

benedicite

1. A prayer or blessing.
2. A bestowal of divine favour.

References

• “benedicitẹ̄, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Interjection

benedicite

1. oh my God, bless me.
   • 1387–1400, [Geoffrey] Chaucer, “The Millerẏs Tale”, in The Tales of Caunt́bury (Hengwrt Chaucer; Peniarth Manuscript 392D), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: National Library of Wales, published [c. 1400–1410], →OCLC, folio 49, recto, lines 3767-3769:

     What Abſolon / what Criſtes swete tree / Why riſe ye ſo rathe / ey benedicitee / What eyleth yow / som gay gerl / god it woot […]

     What, Absolon, for Christ's sweet cross, / why do you rise so soon? Ay, bless me! / What hurts you? Some pretty girl, god knows […]

2. (rare) bless you, God bless you.

References

• “benedicitẹ̄, interj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.