different between benedict vs benedick

English

Etymology 1

From Benedicke (normalized to the usual spelling, Benedict), a character in William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (1598).

Noun

benedict (plural benedicts)

1. (rare) A newly married man, especially one who was previously a confirmed bachelor.
   • 1891, Mary Noailles Murfree, In the "Stranger Poeple's" Country, Nebraska 2005, p. 50:

     The benedict, drearily superfluous to the festivities, had hardly been noticed by her as he lurked about the walls and sought what entertainment was possible to one under the social disabilities of matrimony.

References

• Garner's Usage Tip of the Day: "Benedict/Benedicke", accessed on 2005-04-30, which in turn cites Garner's Modern American Usage, Bryan Garner, Oxford University Press, ?ISBN, 2003

Etymology 2

Latin benedictus, past participle of benedicere (“to bless”). See benison. Doublet of bennet.

Adjective

benedict (comparative more benedict, superlative most benedict)

1. (obsolete) Having mild and salubrious qualities.
   • 1622, Francis Bacon, Natural History, 1740, The Works of Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Alban, Volume 3, page 5,

     And it is not a ?mall thing won in Phy?ick, if you can make rhubarb, and other medicines that are benedict, as ?trong purgers, as tho?e that are not without ?ome malignity.

Verb

benedict (third-person singular simple present benedicts, present participle benedicting, simple past and past participle benedicted)

1. (rare) to bless.
2. (of eggs) To poach and serve on an English muffin with ham or bacon and hollandaise sauce.

Further reading

• benedict in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Etymology

From the character in William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

Noun

benedick (plural benedicks)

1. A recently married man, especially one who has long held out against marriage.

Related terms

• Benedict