ex-voto

[eks-voh-toh]

noun, plural ex-vo·tos.

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.

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.

from, or in pursuance of, a vow.

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 of ex-voto

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.
The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 3 of 6
Eugne Sue
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.
Historia Amoris: A History of Love, Ancient and Modern
Edgar Saltus

British Dictionary definitions for ex-voto

ex voto

adverb, adjective

in accordance with a vow

noun

an offering made in fulfilment of a vow

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