dic-, dict-

Someone who punishes someone in return for a doing something wrong: The mother, in her massive anger, became an avenger against the man who abused her only daughter and so she reported him to the police who arrested him for raping the young girl!

Kindliness in speech; friendly and pleasant words: Dr. Diedrich's conversation with Albert included beneficences or positive comments and encouragement.

The principal of the school used several beneficences in his speech at the farewell dinner for the retiring teachers.

1. A praise, a commendation; then later, a blessing and a wish of well-being: An example of a benedicite is a statement that expresses a wish: "Bless you!"

As the guests were leaving the hotel Mr. Young, the manager, expressed benedicites to each one as an expression of his gratitude for their patronage.

2. A blessing and an expression of thanks: When all of Godfrey's family got together for the Thanksgiving meal, he said a benedicite which presented his appreciation to the Lord for their health and well being.

1. A true and established bachelor who has recently married: Mr. Smith, a benedict who had loved his previous life of a single man for 40 years, was now married to his lovely new wife and adored her from the bottom of his heart.

The local newspaper carried a surprising announcement that the mayor was now a benedict in that he was married for the first time while away on his holidays.

2. Etymology: from Latin benedictus, "blessed", past participle of benedicere, "to bless"; literally, "to speak well of, to praise".

1. Benedict, a masculine name meaning, 'blessed': Mr. and Mrs. Brown named their newly born boy, Benedict, after an Italian monk who lived in 540 A.D. and established the Benedictine order in Italy.

2. Benedicta, the feminine version of a name implying to be blessed: Benedicta certainly was true to her name, being so very grateful and appreciative of the help she had been given by her parents.

When Ms. Smith checked the list of students in her class at the beginning of the new semester, she noticed that both a boy named Benedict and a girl called Benedicta were enrolled.

3. Etymology: both names come from Latin; literally, "to speak well of, to praise", from bene, "well" + dicere, "to say, to tell".

1. The utterance of a blessing; solemn invocation of blessedness upon a person; a devout expression of a wish for the happiness, prosperity, or success of a person or an enterprise: The primate of the church gave a benediction to members of the congregation before they left for the winter holidays.

Jim's parents gave their benediction to him by wishing him, from their hearts, that all would go well on his trip as a professional photographer in the center of a war zone.

2. Blessing carried into practical effect; kindly favor, grace: The local spiritual leader gave a benediction for the farmers in praise of their good crops.

The pastor, Mr. Anderson, gave his benediction to the couple at the end of the wedding ceremony, wishing them contentment and prosperity in their future life together.

3. A prayer of sacred blessing, normally just before a church service ends: The minister, Mr. Drexler, concluded the church meeting with a prayer of benediction.
4. An expression of good things desired, something that assures well-being and goodness: At the conclusion of the meeting of the committee members, the chairperson spoke a brief benediction, wishing everyone a safe summer holiday.

1. Characteristic of expressing, or giving, a prayer asking for God's blessing: At the close of the convention Mr. Duncan, the president, called upon the pastor, Mr. Duplantie, to give the closing benedictory thanks for the successful convention.
2. Referring to, or in the form of, a blessing: The benedictory remarks at the funeral seemed to please those who were attending, including the family members.
3. Etymology: from Latin benedictio; from benedicere, "to bless".

Translation "Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes."

Motto of Bradfield College, U.K.

1. A blessing or an expression of good wishes : The president of the theological seminary asked one of the professors, Mr. Jones, to give the benison at the end of the graduation ceremony.
2. Etymology: from Middle English, which came from Old French beneison; from Latin benedictio, "praising".

1. A disorder in which some people spend an excessive amount of time on the internet: Some examples of computer addicts involve those who are involved in playing computer games, accessing social websites in an attempt to overcome anxieties or to reduce isolation or loneliness, and to distract themselves from other overwhelming problems.

Some people may be accused of being computer addicts because they are engrossed in achieving more objectives via the internet and their computers than is possible with any other tool or device.

2. Etymology: from Latin com-, "with" and putare, "to reckon" or "to think" + ad-, "to" + dicere, "to say, to declare".

From Roman Law, a formal claim for something; therefore, an action against a person originally for a certain sum of money, and later for anything definite and certain other than for money: The term condictio evolved into being something about an obligation, as distinguished from a claim of ownership.

1. A way of living or existing: Happiness is a condition of being loved and getting along with others.
2. The way in which something exists or the physical status of something: Elana's car is still in very good condition so she doesn't plan to buy another one; at least, not at this time.
3. The physical and mental status of a person or an animal: Despite his age, David is still in good condition.

If a person is in no condition to do something, then he or she is not physically or mentally able to do it.

4. Etymology: from Modern French condition, "stipulation, state, behavior, social status" which came from Latin condicionem, condicio, "agreement, situation"; from condicere, "to speak with, to talk together", from com-, "together" + dicere, "to speak".

A description of something that will be done, or will happen, only if and when another thing is done or happens: The offer to enroll in the university was conditional on the kinds of grades Tom would receive at his high school at the end of the semester.

The group's scheduled walk tomorrow is conditional on whether it rains or not.

Referring to an offer or an agreement that depends on something else being done first: Jack and Jane conditionally accepted the offer of the car dealer for their old car if he would arrange for them to have a good deal for a new one.

1. To affirm the opposite of; to state what is untrue or erroneous; to deny categorically: There was a rumor going around that Susan was going to marry Steve, but she contradicted that right away! They weren't going to be married. They were just friends.
2. To be directly opposed to a statement or an action; to go against: Jim's mother was contradicting herself because; first she said that he could go to the movies with his friends, then she said he could not go!
3. Etymology: from Latin contradicere, "to speak against"; from contra-, "against, opposite" + dicere, "to speak, to say". © ALL rights are reserved.

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