devote
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de·vote
(dĭ-vōt′)tr.v. de·vot·ed, de·vot·ing, de·votes
1. To give or apply (one's time, attention, or self, for example) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person.
2. To set apart for a specific purpose or use: land devoted to mining.
[Latin dēvovēre, dēvōt-, to vow : dē-, de- + vovēre, to vow.]
de·vote′ment n.
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).
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).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
devote
(dɪˈvəʊt)vb (tr)
1. to apply or dedicate (oneself, time, money, etc) to some pursuit, cause, etc
2. obsolete to curse or doom
[C16: from Latin dēvōtus devoted, solemnly promised, from dēvovēre to vow; see de-, vow]
deˈvotement n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
de•vote
(dɪˈvoʊt)v.t. -vot•ed, -vot•ing.
1. to give up or apply to a particular pursuit, purpose, cause, etc.: to devote one's time to study.
2. to set apart or dedicate by a solemn or formal act; consecrate: to devote one's life to God.
[1580–90; < Latin dēvōtus, past participle of dēvovēre to vow as a sacrifice =dē- de- + vōvēre to vow]
syn: devote, dedicate, consecrate share the sense of assigning or committing someone or something to a particular activity, function, or end. devote is the most general of these terms, although it carries overtones of religious commitment: He devoted his evenings to mastering the computer. dedicate implies a more solemn or noble purpose and carries an ethical or moral tone: We are dedicated to the achievement of equality for all. consecrate, even in nonreligious contexts, implies an intense and sacred commitment: consecrated to the service of humanity.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also related terms for promise.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
devote
Past participle: devoted
Gerund: devoting
Imperative |
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devote |
devote |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Verb | 1. | devote - give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause; "She committed herself to the work of God"; "give one's talents to a good cause"; "consecrate your life to the church" vow, consecrate - dedicate to a deity by a vow give - offer in good faith; "He gave her his word" rededicate - dedicate anew; "They were asked to rededicate themselves to their country" apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer" sacrifice, give - endure the loss of; "He gave his life for his children"; "I gave two sons to the war" apply - apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework" |
2. | devote - dedicate; "give thought to"; "give priority to"; "pay attention to" | |
3. | devote - set aside or apart for a specific purpose or use; "this land was devoted to mining" reserve - hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency; "they held back their applause in anticipation" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
devote
verb dedicate, give, commit, apply, reserve, pledge, surrender, assign, allot, give over, consecrate, set apart He decided to devote the rest of his life to music.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
devote
verb1. To devote (oneself or one's efforts):
2. To give over by or as if by vow to a higher purpose:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
devote
[dɪˈvəʊt] VT to devote sth to sth → dedicar algo a algohe devoted three chapters to Japanese politics → dedicó tres capítulos a la política japonesa
she devoted four years to studying history → dedicó cuatro años a estudiar historia
she devoted her life to finding a cure for the disease → dedicó or consagró su vida a encontrar una cura para la enfermedad
they do not devote enough attention to their children → no dedican la suficiente atención a sus hijos
we will devote 30% of the money to research → asignaremos or destinaremos el 30% del dinero a la investigación
to devote o.s. to sth → dedicarse a algo
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
devote
(diˈvəut) verb (with to) to give up wholly to or use entirely for. She devotes her life to music.dedicar
deˈvoted adjective2. (with to) given up (to). He is devoted to his work.dedicado
devotee (devəˈtiː) noun a keen follower; an enthusiast. a devotee of football.devoto
deˈvotion noun2. the act of devoting or of being devoted. devotion to duty.devoción, dedicación
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.