self-devotion

American  

[self-di-voh-shuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf dɪˈvoʊ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. intense devotion of oneself to an activity or to a field or profession, as art or science.

2. devotion of oneself to the care or service of another or others; self-sacrifice.

   Her self-devotion to her sick mother prevented her from finishing college.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-devotedly
  adverb
• self-devoted
  adjective
• self-devotedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of self-devotion

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

The lesser-known “vulnerable” variety of self-devotion afflicts more reserved, fragile individuals who may resemble the self-effacing and thin-skinned characters portrayed by Woody Allen in his films.

From Scientific American • Feb. 5, 2013

"No man in the world was ever so sincere and modest in his self-devotion," wrote Marie in her secret notebook.

From Time Magazine Archive

In fact, every revolution is a transient period of barbarism, in which man, while he displays partial examples of the most heroic virtue and generous self-devotion, is often half a savage.

From The Philosophy of History, Vol. 1 of 2 by Schlegel, Friedrich

Then patriotism is eloquent, then self-devotion is eloquent....

From The Brothers' War by Reed, John Calvin

Many of the noble houses still mourn the loss of some fair matron or maiden, who fell a victim to her self-devotion.

From The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races With Particular Reference to Their Respective Influence in the Civil and Political History of Mankind by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)