votary

American  

[voh-tuh-ree] / ˈvoʊ tə ri /

noun

plural

votaries

1. a person who is bound by solemn religious vows, as a monk or a nun.

2. an adherent of a religion or cult; a worshiper of a particular deity or sacred personage.

3. a person who is devoted or addicted to some subject or pursuit.

   a votary of jazz.

   Synonyms:

   devotee, admirer, fan, buff

4. a devoted follower or admirer.

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adjective

1. consecrated by a vow.

2. of or relating to a vow.

votary British  

/ ˈvəʊtərɪ /

noun

1. RC Church Eastern Churches a person, such as a monk or nun, who has dedicated himself or herself to religion by taking vows

2. a devoted adherent of a religion, cause, leader, pursuit, etc

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adjective

1. ardently devoted to the services or worship of God, a deity, or a saint

Other Word Forms

• votaress
  noun

Etymology

Origin of votary

1540–50; < Latin vōt ( um ) a vow + -ary

Explanation

If your sister is a Sister in the Roman Catholic Church, then she is a votary. People who have devoted their lives to religious service are called votaries. The noun votary does not necessarily have to be a member of a religious order. A votary can be a person who is a devoted follower of a person or cause. Plenty of history majors are votaries of Abraham Lincoln, but if you prefer more obscurity in your interest in presidents, you may be a votary of William Henry Harrison, who died on his thirty-second day in office — of a cold.

Example Sentences

Votary, vō′ta-ri, adj. bound or consecrated by a vow.—n. one devoted as by a vow to some service, worship, or way of life:—fem.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

And yet ere long again was seen That Votary of Hippocrene.

From Collected Poems In Two Volumes, Vol. II by Dobson, Austin

Votary or Priestess of the Goddess to whom Snakes were Sacred 188 IX.

From More Science From an Easy Chair by Lankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir

Ye Muses do not me deny; I ever was your Votary.

From The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687) by Parker, William Riley

O ye everlasting, ever-shining Luminaries, be always propitious to your Votary, said Zadig.

From Zadig Or, The Book of Fate by Voltaire