To bless : etymology ?

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willi - 30 Dec 2003 15:11 GMT

What is the etymology of "to bless"
And by the way where on the net can I find current etymologies
Thanks

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Enrico C - 30 Dec 2003 16:44 GMT

> What is the etymology of "to bless"

[Old English blētsian , from a prehistoric Germanic base that also
produced English bleed and blood; the original sense seems to have
been “to mark with blood”]

http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/bless.html

> And by the way where on the net can I find current etymologies

Wordorigins.org
http://www.wordorigins.org/

Online Etimology Dictionary
http://www.etymonline.com/

The Phrase Finder - Meanings and Origins of Phrases, sayings, cliches
and quotes
http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/meanings/index.html

Encarta MSN Dictionary
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/dictionaryhome.aspx

Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, 10th Edition
http://www.m-w.com

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Enrico C

| http://www.lillathedog.net/icling/dizionari_inglese.html

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willi - 30 Dec 2003 22:48 GMT

Thank you very much

Do you think it would be too much a joke to do a relation,through the idea
of blood, between "to bless" and the French "blessure" (wound), coming from
"blettjan" and "bleizza" (ecchymosis)
It is said (dictionnaire historique Robert) that these words gave the
anglo-saxon "blate" (pale) but nothing is said of "bless"

dans l'article j612z5go8tfh$.dlg@news.lillathedog.net, Enrico C à
enrico.c@spamcop.net a écrit le 30/12/03 17:44 :

> [Old English blçtsian , from a prehistoric Germanic base that also
> produced English bleed and blood; the original sense seems to have
> been ´to mark with blood¡]

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Discussion Groups / British English / December 2003

To bless : etymology ?