benison means A blessing; benediction. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.
benison is pronounced /ˈbɛnɪsən/.
Why “benison” is a great word
BENISON — [Noun] A formal blessing or benediction. From Middle English benysoun, beneson, borrowed from Old French beneïson, from Latin benedictiō, benedictiōnem ("blessing, benediction"), from bene ("well") and dīcere ("to speak"). First known use in the 14th century. Unlike "boon," which suggests a timely, material favor, or "malison," its direct antonym denoting a curse, a benison is specifically the spoken invocation of grace. It is the arch of a priest's hand over a bowed head, the murmured words over a wedding cup, the old wish for safe lodging spoken at a parting gate—a fragile architecture of hope given sound and sent out into the world.
Etymology
From Middle English benysoun, beneson, borrowed from Old French beneïson, from Latin benedictiō, benedictiōnem. First known use: 14th century. Doublet of benediction.
noun
- A blessing; benediction.“That elf-maiden smote with her hand so white,
“Sorrow and sickness on thee alight”
That elf-maiden smote with her cap so small,
“No more shall priest's benison on thee fall!””