First recorded in 1815–25
First recorded in 1815–25; from Latin ex vōtō literally, “out of a vow”; see ex- 1 ( def. ), vow
When religious offerings are left because of a vow that somebody made in prayer, those offerings are called ex-voto. Usually, ex-voto offerings are left on display. An offering that is left on display is called a votive offering. An ex-voto is a specific kind of votive offering, and is common in the Catholic faith. Essentially, an ex-voto offering is made because you vowed to a saint or divinity that you would make it, but they can also be made just out of gratitude to that saint or divinity.
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Two additional clumps support each canvas as it leans against the wall like some icon or ex voto, reminding us that painting is a universal, not Western, art form.
From New York Times • Oct. 30, 2014
You placed your arms ex voto in the basilica of St. Denis.
From The Executioner's Knife Or Joan of Arc by Sue, Eug?ne
Pictures ex voto can claim little merit from composition.
From The Life and Writings of Henry Fuseli, Volume I (of 3) by Knowles, John
There was scarcely light enough now in the side chapels to distinguish any unfamiliar object, but the old fisherman walked straight to where his own ex voto offering had hung these many years.
From Vestigia Vol. II. by Fleming, George
Master Headley’s sword was found honourably broken under the tree, and was reserved to form a base for his intended ex voto.
From The Armourer's Prentices by Hennessy, W.J.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
