v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Devoted; p. pr. & vb. n. Devoting. ] [ L. devotus, p. p. of devovere; de + vovere to vow. See Vow, and cf. Devout, Devow. ] 1. To appropriate by vow; to set apart or dedicate by a solemn act; to consecrate; also, to consign over; to doom; to evil; to devote one to destruction; the city was devoted to the flames. [ 1913 Webster ] No devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the Lord . . . shall be sold or redeemed. Lev. xxvii. 28. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To execrate; to curse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To give up wholly; to addict; to direct the attention of wholly or compound; to attach; -- often with a reflexive pronoun; as, to devote one's self to science, to one's friends, to piety, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] Thy servant who is devoted to thy fear. Ps. cxix. 38. [ 1913 Webster ] They devoted themselves unto all wickedness. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ] A leafless and simple branch . . . devoted to the purpose of climbing. Gray. Syn. -- To addict; apply; dedicate; consecrate; resign; destine; doom; consign. See Addict. [ 1913 Webster ] |