benison
(ˈbɛnɪsən)
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. benei{cced}un, -{cced}on, -sson, son, -zon:—L. benedictiōn-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.
| a 1300 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 þat persecution in pure lijf suffren, Þei han þe benison of god blissed in erþe. 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.
| a 1400 Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867) 29 Þairs es þe joye of heuene, ffor þat es þe benysone of þe 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 1 a.
| a 1300 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. c 1320 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 1 b.
Obs.| a 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 3405 Benyssoun of bisshope of his dignité; And benyssoun of prest, þat gyyen es Namly, in þe end of þe mes. 1387 Trevisa Higden Rolls Ser. VI. 411 Noþer he was..i-hiȝt wiþ 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 1 d.
Obs.| a 1300 Havelok 1723 Thanne [he] were set, and bord leyd, And the beneysun was seyd. |
† 3. Disposition to bless; graciousness, grace, benignity.
Obs.| c 1450 Lay-Folks Mass-Bk, F. 352, I pray him of his benisoun..Sey a pater-noster for the writere. |