Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

blessing

 noun
     
Related topics: Religion
bless‧ing
1 [countable] something that you have or something that happens which is good because it improves your life, helps you in some way, or makes you happy:
The dishwasher has been a real blessing!
it is a blessing (that)
It's a blessing no-one was badly hurt.
2 [uncountable] someone's approval or encouragement for a plan, activity, idea etc
with somebody's blessing
They were determined to marry, with or without their parents' blessing.
The Defense Department has given its blessing to the scheme.
3

a mixed blessing

a situation that has both good and bad parts:
Having children so early in their marriage was a mixed blessing.
4

a blessing in disguise

something that seems to be bad or unlucky at first, but which you later realize is good or lucky
5

count your blessings

used to tell someone to remember how lucky they are, especially when they are complaining about something
6 [uncountable and countable]RR protection and help from God, or words spoken to ask for this:
The priest gave the blessing.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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