de·vote
(dĭ-vōt́)
[Latin dēvovēre, dēvōt-, to vow, dē-, de-, + vovēre, to vow.]
transitive verb: -vot·ed, -vot·ing, -votes.
- To give or apply (one's time, attention, or self) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person.
- To set apart for a specific purpose or use: land devoted to mining.
- To set apart by or as if by a vow or solemn act; consecrate: a temple devoted to Apollo.
derivatives
- de·votément
- noun
synonyms:
devote, dedicate, consecrate, pledge These verbs mean to give to a particular end and especially to a higher purpose. Devote implies faithfulness and loyalty: Nurses devote themselves to the care of the sick. Dedicate connotes a solemn, often formal commitment: “To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes” (Woodrow Wilson) Consecrate suggests sacred commitment: His entire life is consecrated to science. To pledge is to back a personal commitment by a solemn promise: “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people” (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
