-ōshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English devocioun, from Old French devotion, from Late Latin devotion-, devotio, from Latin, devotement, from devotus (past participle of devovēre ) + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : earnestness and zeal in the performance of religious duties and observations : religious fervor : reverence , piety
b. : an act evincing religious devotion ; usually : an act of prayer or supplication — now usually used in plural
spent half the night at her devotions
c. devotions plural : prayers or service of worship usually intended for private nonliturgical services
a book of daily devotions
d. obsolete : an offering (as of money) devoted in worship : oblation ; often : alms given from religious motives
2. : the act of devoting or quality of being devoted
devotion of such talents to the public service
his devotion to the cause of justice is well known
: ardent love or affection
their devotion was beautiful to behold
: strong attachment : zeal , ardor , enthusiasm
3. archaic
a. : devoted service
b. : disposal or power of disposal : beck and call
the … rabble were wholly at the devotion of those incendiaries — Edmund Burke
4. obsolete : something (as a cause) to which a person or thing is devoted : purpose , mission
Synonyms: see fidelity