Obs. Also 4–6 blyss(e, bliss. [a. F. blesse-r:—OF. blecier to injure, wound: cf. BLECHE. Often associated with BLESS v.1, either humorously or in ignorance. (The sense of the second quotation is doubtful: cf. BLESS v.3)] To wound, hurt; to beat, thrash, drub.
[c. 1325. Coer de L., 546. Whenne I hym had a strok i-fet, And wolde have blyssyd hym bet.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 1192. [He] blessed so wiþ his briȝt bront · aboute in eche side þat, what rink so he rauȝt · he ros neuer after.]
1526. Skelton, Magnyf., 1641. I have hym coryed, beten and blyst.
1545. Ascham, Toxoph. (Arb.), 145. As thoughe they woulde tourne about and blysse all the feelde.
1575. J. Still, Gamm. Gurton, III. iii. Tarry, thou knave … I shall make these hands bless thee.
1577. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Fam. Ep., 237. When he did leuell to shoote, he blessed himselfe with his peece, and killed them with the pellat.
1612. Shelton, Quix., I. iii. 173. That of the Battle … when they bless’d your Worship’s Cheek Teeth.
