Benedictus

noun

Ben·​e·​dic·​tus ˌbe-nə-ˈdik-təs 

1

: a canticle from Luke 1:68 beginning "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel"

2

: a canticle from Matthew 21:9 beginning "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord"

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, blessed, from past participle of benedicere; from its first word

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1