Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- profound dedication; consecration.
- earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.
- an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc.: the devotion of one’s wealth and time to scientific advancement.
- Often devotions. Ecclesiastical. religious observance or worship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.
noun
- (often foll by to) strong attachment (to) or affection (for a cause, person, etc) marked by dedicated loyalty
- religious zeal; piety
- (often plural) religious observance or prayers
early 13c., from Old French devocion “devotion, piety,” from Latin devotionem (nominative devotio), noun of action from past participle stem of devovere “dedicate by a vow, sacrifice oneself, promise solemnly,” from de- “down, away” (see de-) + vovere “to vow,” from votum “vow” (see vow).
In ancient Latin, “act of consecrating by a vow,” also “loyalty, fealty, allegiance;” in Church Latin, “devotion to God, piety.” This was the original sense in English; the etymological sense, including secular situations, returned 16c. via Italian and French.