Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - bless

v.tr. (past and past part. blessed, poet. blest) 1 (of a priest etc.) pronounce words, esp. in a religious rite, asking for divine favour; ask God to look favourably on (bless this house). 2 a consecrate (esp. bread and wine). b sanctify by the sign of the cross. 3 call (God) holy; adore. 4 attribute one's good fortune to (an auspicious time, one's fate, etc.); thank (bless the day I met her; bless my stars). 5 (usu. in passive; often foll. by with) make happy or successful (blessed with children; they were truly blessed). 6 euphem. curse; damn (bless the boy!). Phrases and idioms (God) bless me (or my soul) an exclamation of surprise, pleasure, indignation, etc. (God) bless you! 1 an exclamation of endearment, gratitude, etc. 2 an exclamation made to a person who has just sneezed. I'm (or well, I'm) blessed (or blest) an exclamation of surprise etc. not have a penny to bless oneself with be impoverished. Etymology: OE bloedsian, bledsian, bletsian, f. blod blood (hence mark with blood, consecrate): meaning infl. by its use at the conversion of the English to translate L benedicare praise