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Endow vs Bless - What's the difference?

endow | bless |

As verbs the difference between endow and bless

is that endow is to furnish with money or its equivalent, as a permanent fund for support; to make pecuniary provision for; to settle an income upon; especially, to furnish with dower; as, to endow a wife; to endow a public institution while bless is to make something blessed; to confer blessing upon.

As an interjection bless is

Used as an expression of endearment, or (ironically) belittlement.

endow

English

Alternative forms

* indow (archaic)

Verb

(en verb)
  • To furnish with money or its equivalent, as a permanent fund for support; to make pecuniary provision for; to settle an income upon; especially, to furnish with dower; as, to endow a wife; to endow a public institution.
  • To enrich or furnish with anything of the nature of a gift (as a quality or faculty); — followed by with, rarely by of; as, man is endowed by his Maker with reason; to endow with privileges or benefits.
  • To bestow freely.
  • To be furnished with something naturally.
  • She was'' ''endowed'' ''with a beautiful voice.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * endowment

    Anagrams

    * * * *

    bless

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) blessen, from (etyl) . More at bleed.

    Verb

  • To make something blessed; to confer blessing upon.
  • To make the sign of the cross upon; to cross (oneself).
  • (Holinshed)
  • To praise, or glorify; to extol for excellences.
  • * Bible, Ps. ciii. 1
  • Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
  • To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
  • * Bible, Jer. iv. 3
  • The nations shall bless themselves in him.
  • (obsolete) To wave; to brandish.
  • * Spenser
  • And burning blades about their heads do bless .
  • * Fairfax
  • Round his armed head his trenchant blade he blest .
  • To turn (a reference) into an object.
  • (archaic) To secure, defend, or preserve from .
  • * Shakespeare
  • Bless' me ' from marrying a usurer.
  • * Milton
  • to bless' the doors ' from nightly harm
    Antonyms
    * curse * condemn * unbless

    Etymology 2

    An ellipsis for an expression such as .

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (UK, informal)
  • * 1998 , "Peter Coffey", New Alternative View Of Atomic Structure'' (on Internet newsgroup ''sci.chem )
  • Ah bless ! You must be the welcoming committee for anyone who dares express ignorance.
  • * 2000 , "Hellraiser" (on Internet newsgroup uk.people.teens )
  • oh bless . *hug* that is not true. nobody here bears a grudge against 13 year old dear or against you.
  • * 2001 , "Will", Am I still here?'' (on Internet newsgroup ''uk.religion.pagan )
  • Aw bless ... have white chocolate fudge muffin....a new batch.... made them last night after Nigella....

    Anagrams

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