Benedicite (be ned i site)

[LL., prop. 2d pers. pl. pres. impv. of benedicere, ble : see benedict.] 1. The canticle or hymn beginning in Latin "Benedicite omnia opera Domini," and in English "O all ye works of the Lord, ble ye the Lord," taken from "The Song of the Three Holy Children" forming part of the Apocrypha in the English Bible. It is e entially an expansion of Psalm cxlviii., and has been used from a very early period in the Christian church. In the Anglican service it is used as an alternate to the Te Deum. 2. A musical setting of this canticle.-3. [l. c.] An invocation of a ble ing, especially a ble ing before a repast, as said in religious communities, etc., answering to the grace or thanksgiving after it.-41. [A common use in ME., where the word was often contracted ben dicite, benste.] Used interjectionally: ( a ) Ble you! expre ing a wish. (b) Ble us! ble me! expre ing surprise. benedick (ben'ē-dik), n. bene-dik). See benedict .