v.
Pronunciation: di- ' v ō t, d ē -
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: de · vot · ed ; de · vot · ing
Etymology: Latin devotus, past participle of devov ē re, from de- + vov ē re to vow
Date: 1586
1 : to commit by a solemn act < devoted herself to serving God>
2 : to give over or direct (as time, money, or effort) to a cause, enterprise, or activity
– de · vote · ment \ - ' v ō t-m ə nt \ noun
synonyms DEVOTE , DEDICATE , CONSECRATE , HALLOW mean to set apart for a special and often higher end. DEVOTE is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective < devoted his evenings to study>. DEDICATE implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose < dedicated her life to medical research>. CONSECRATE stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality < consecrate a church to the worship of God>. HALLOW often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity <battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots>.