from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Devote \De*vote"\, 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.
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No devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the
Lord . . . shall be sold or redeemed. --Lev. xxvii.
28.
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2. To execrate; to curse. [Obs.]
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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.
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Thy servant who is devoted to thy fear. --Ps. cxix.
38.
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They devoted themselves unto all wickedness. --Grew.
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A leafless and simple branch . . . devoted to the
purpose of climbing. --Gray.
Syn: To addict; apply; dedicate; consecrate; resign; destine;
doom; consign. See {Addict}.
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