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ex-voto

[eks-voh-toh]
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noun, plural ex-vo·tos.
  1. a painting or other object left as an offering in fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude, as for recovery from an illness or injury.
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Origin of ex-voto

First recorded in 1815–25, ex-voto is from the Latin word ex vōtō literally, out of a vow

ex voto

[eks woh-toh; English eks voh-toh]
adjective, adverb Latin.
  1. from, or in pursuance of, a vow.
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Origin of ex voto

First recorded in 1815–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ex-voto

Historical Examples

  • The Valenciennes museum has an ex-voto on wood, the history of which is curious.

    France and the Republic

    William Henry Hurlbert

  • Every Sunday they burn a quantity of wax candles before them in ex-voto.

  • Opposite the steps is a defaced bas-relief, probably a Virgin attended by angels—no doubt an ex-voto of the time of the Conquest.

    Southern Spain

    A.F. Calvert

  • The fainting figures that were painted in the ex-voto of the triptiques seemed ill with love.

British Dictionary definitions for ex-voto

ex voto

adverb, adjective
  1. in accordance with a vow
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noun
  1. an offering made in fulfilment of a vow
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012