To grant (someone) the permission or power necessary to do (something); to permit; to sanction or consent to.
To invoke divine favor upon.
To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
To make the sign of the cross upon, so as to sanctify.
To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
To honor as holy, glorify; to extol for excellence.
To turn (a reference) into an object.
Used as an expression of endearment, gratitude, or (ironically) belittlement.