bless 
/ˈblɛs/ verb
bless·es; blessed /ˈblɛs/ verb /ˈblɛst/; bless·ing [+ obj] 1 : to make (something or someone) holy by saying a special prayer
▪ The priest blessed their marriage at the wedding. ▪ The water for the baptism has been blessed. 2 : to ask God to care for and protect (someone or something)
▪ The priest blessed the baby I held in my arms. 3 a — used in the phrase God bless to express good wishes or appreciation for someone or something ▪ May God bless this country. ▪ God bless modern medicine. [=thank God for modern medicine] — see also god bless you (below)
b — used in phrases like bless his/her heart and bless him/her to express affection, appreciation, or understanding ▪ She tries so hard, bless her heart. ▪ My aunt Clare, bless her, watched the kids while we went out. ▪ Our cousin, bless his heart, is just so disorganized. — see also bless you (below) 4 : to provide (a person, place, etc.) with something good or desirable
▪ Nature has blessed the area with good soil and a sunny climate. — usually used as (be) blessed ▪ I have been blessed with good health and a wonderful wife and children. ▪ He was blessed [=endowed] with great speed as a runner. 5 : to give approval to (something)
▪ The committee has not yet blessed the plan.
▪ The priest blessed their marriage at the wedding. ▪ The water for the baptism has been blessed.
▪ The priest blessed the baby I held in my arms.
b — used in phrases like bless his/her heart and bless him/her to express affection, appreciation, or understanding ▪ She tries so hard, bless her heart. ▪ My aunt Clare, bless her, watched the kids while we went out. ▪ Our cousin, bless his heart, is just so disorganized. — see also bless you (below)
▪ Nature has blessed the area with good soil and a sunny climate. — usually used as (be) blessed ▪ I have been blessed with good health and a wonderful wife and children. ▪ He was blessed [=endowed] with great speed as a runner.
▪ The committee has not yet blessed the plan.
bless my soul
old-fashioned — used in speech to express surprise ▪ You decided to come see us after all. Well, bless my soul!
bless you or God bless you 1 — used in speech to express thanks or good wishes ▪ “I'll be happy to help in any way I can.” “Oh, bless you! That's very kind of you.” 2 — said to someone who has just sneezed
