bliss n : a state of extreme happiness [syn: blissfulness, cloud nine, seventh heaven, walking on air]

see bliss

English

Proper noun

Bliss

1. an English surname
2. a programming language used for systems programming primarily on computers produced by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). Bliss is a parallel language to C, both being derived from B and BCPL

Bliss is a state of profound spiritual satisfaction, happiness or joy, often associated with religious ideas of the Afterlife.

In many philosophical systems, including some forms of Shaivite Hinduism, hedonism, Epicureanism and the Krishna Consciousness movement, a state of bliss (either subjective or objective) is seen as a major goal, or even the ultimate goal, of both human and divine endeavour.

The word "bliss" is often used as a translation for the Sanskrit term Ananda.

A great many references to "bliss" exist in popular culture.

The word "Bliss" can also refer to the following:

Music

• Arthur Bliss, composer
• Bliss (Band), the soul-pop group featuring Rachel Morrison
• "Bliss" (Psychic TV song), a song by the English rock band Psychic TV
• "Bliss" (Muse song), a song by the English rock band Muse
• "Bliss" (Tori Amos song), a song by Tori Amos
• "Bliss" (Mariah Carey song), a song on Mariah Carey's Rainbow album
• "Bliss" (Paul Gilbert song), a song on Paul Gilbert's Burning Organ album
• BLISS (album), an album by Nikki Webster
• Bliss (12 Rods album) (1993), by indie rock band 12 Rods
• Bliss (Vanessa Paradis album) (2000), by French pop singer Vanessa Paradis
• Bliss (Doug Anthony All Stars), an early recording by the Doug Anthony All Stars
• The Bliss Album...?, an album by PM Dawn
• Bliss, Alternative/Grunge/Experimental Band from Harrow
• Bliss (Birdbrain album) 1995 debut album by post-grunge band Birdbrain.
• Bliss (Still Remains song), a song off Still Remains' Of Love and Lunacy album.
• Right into the Bliss, a song by Katatonia

Comics

• Bliss (Wildstorm), a Wildstorm comic book character
• Bliss (Starman), an incubus who appeared in the DC Comics series Starman
• Bliss (Morlocks), a member of the Marvel Comics mutant group The Morlocks
• Bliss (cartoon), a syndicated cartoon produced by Harry Bliss

Film

• Bliss (1917 film), starring Harold Lloyd
• Bliss (1985 film), directed by Ray Lawrence, adapted from the Peter Carey novel
• Bliss (1997 film), starring Terrance Stamp
• Bliss (2006 film), aka Fu Sheng, a Chinese film produced by Fruit Chan
• Bliss (2007 film), aka Mutluluk, directed by Abdullah Oğuz, adapted from the Zülfü Livaneli novel

Television

• Bliss (TV channel), a British music television channel playing classic hits
• Bliss (TV series), a Canadian produced dramatic television series that ran from 2002 to 2004
• "Bliss" (Voyager episode), an episode from the fifth season of Star Trek: Voyager
• Dee Bliss, a fictional character on the Australian soap Neighbours
• Carrie Bliss, a fictional character on TBSs "Saved by the Bell"-teacher

Computer science

• BLISS (programming language), a system programming language developed at Carnegie Mellon University
• Bliss (game), a 2005 adult computer game
• Bliss (image), a computer wallpaper included with Microsoft Windows XP
• Bliss (virus), a computer virus that infects GNU/Linux systems
• BLISS (Computer Program), a library automation software created by Bilkent University

Geography

• Bliss, California, USA
• Bliss, Idaho, USA
• Bliss Corner, Massachusetts, USA
• Bliss Township, Michigan, USA
• Fort Bliss, Texas, USA

People

• Arthur Bliss, a British composer
• Caroline Bliss, British actress
• Charles K. Bliss, inventor of Blissymbols
• Cornelius Newton Bliss, US merchant and politician
• Douglas Percy Bliss, 20th century Scottish painter
• Duane Leroy Bliss, 19th century Nevada, USA industrialist
• George Bliss, 19th century US Congressman
• Gilbert Ames Bliss, US mathematician
• Harry Bliss, US cartoonist
• Henry E. Bliss, US librarian
• Mike Bliss, US NASCAR driver
• Nathaniel Bliss, 18th century English astronomer
• Philemon Bliss, 19th century US Congressman & jurist
• P. P. Bliss (1838-1876), American hymn lyricist and composer
• Tasker H. Bliss, early 20th century U.S. Army officer
• William Dwight Porter Bliss, American religious leader and activist
• William Henry Bliss, English scholar
• William Wallace Smith Bliss, U.S. Army Officer

References

Canaan, New Jerusalem, Zion, affability, agreeability, agreeableness, amenity, amiability, amicability, beatification, beatitude, bewitchment, blessedness, blissfulness, blitheness, cheer, cheerfulness, cloud nine, compatibility, complaisance, congeniality, cordiality, delectation, delight, ecstasy, ecstatics, elation, elysium, empyrean, enchantment, enjoyableness, enjoyment, exaltation, exhilaration, exuberance, felicitousness, felicity, gaiety, geniality, gladness, glee, goodliness, goodness, graciousness, happiness, happy hunting ground, harmoniousness, harmony, heaven, high spirits, intoxication, joy, joyance, joyfulness, joyousness, mellifluousness, mellowness, niceness, nirvana, overhappiness, overjoyfulness, paradise, pleasance, pleasantness, pleasantry, pleasingness, pleasurability, pleasurableness, pleasure, pleasurefulness, rapport, rapture, ravishment, seventh heaven, spirituality, sunshine, sweetness, transport, unalloyed happiness, welcomeness