Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *blōþisōną ‎(“to sprinkle, mark or hallow with blood”), from *blōþą ‎(“blood”), from Proto-Indo-European *bhlo-to- ‎(“to gush, spurt”), from *bhol-, *bhlē-dh-, *bhlō(w)- ‎(“to thrive, flourish, bloom”). Cognate with Old Norse bletza ‎(“to bless”), whence Icelandic blessa. Related to Old English blēdan ‎(“to bleed”). More at bleed.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbletsiɑn/