Portuguese edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Old Galician-Portuguese bẽeiçon, from Ecclesiastical Latin, Late Latin benedictiōnem (blessing; benediction), from benedictus, from Latin benedīcō. The plural in -ãos was formed by analogy with other paroxytones in -ão; the etymologically correct plural *bênções is considered incorrect. Compare also bendição, a later semi-learned borrowing.

Pronunciation edit

  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /ˈbẽ.sɐ̃w̃/, (mispronunciation) /bẽˈsɐ̃w̃/

  • Hyphenation: bên‧ção

Noun edit

bênção f (plural bênçãos or (now proscribed) bênções)

  1. benediction, blessing
    Synonym: bendição
    Antonym: maldição
  2. grace
    Synonym: graça

Related terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Macanese: bênça