votary

[voh-tuh-ree]

noun, plural vo·ta·ries. Also vo·ta·rist.

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

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

a person who is devoted or addicted to some subject or pursuit: a votary of jazz.

a devoted follower or admirer.

adjective

consecrated by a vow.

of or relating to a vow.

Origin of votary

1540–50; < Latin vōt(um) a vow + -ary

Synonyms for votary

3. buff, fan, admirer, devotee.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for votaries

enthusiast, devotee, adherent, amateur, aficionado, fanatic, follower, zealot, addict, admirer, disciple, buff, votarist

Examples from the Web for votaries

Historical Examples of votaries

The votaries of the saint will get up a petition to have his body moved.
It Happened in Egypt
C. N. Williamson
Some of its votaries, on the other hand, are inclined to exalt it unduly.
Introduction to the Study of History
Charles V. Langlois
The votaries of hydropathy are rarely victims of grave malady.
Davenport Dunn, Volume 1 (of 2)
Charles James Lever
Love can build a shelter for his votaries, and has a sun-shine of his own.
Cruel Barbara Allen
David Christie Murray
His votaries were not encumbered with an exalted code of morality.
Welsh Folk-Lore
Elias Owen

British Dictionary definitions for votaries

votary

noun plural -ries also: votarist

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

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

adjective

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

Derived Formsvotaress or votress, fem n

Word Origin for votary

C16: from Latin vōtum a vow, from vovēre to 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

Word Origin and History for votaries

votary

1540s, "one consecrated by a vow," from Latin votum (see vow). Originally "a monk or nun," general sense of "ardent devotee of some aim or pursuit" is from 1591 (in Shakespeare, originally in reference to love).