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.
Related Words
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