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benedire

to bless

verb beh-neh-DEE-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin benedicere (to speak well of, to bless).

Usage Note

Benedire is irregular: the past participle is benedetto (not benedito). The imperative va' a farti benedire! is a dismissive colloquial expression meaning 'get lost!' or 'go to hell!' — a learner-trap if taken literally. The opposite is maledire (to curse), equally irregular.

Examples

"Il sacerdote benedì i fedeli."

Natural Translation

The priest blessed the faithful.

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