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votary

[voh-tuh-ree]
noun, plural vo·ta·ries. Also vo·ta·rist.
  1. a person who is bound by solemn religious vows, as a monk or a nun.
  2. an adherent of a religion or cult; a worshiper of a particular deity or sacred personage.
  3. a person who is devoted or addicted to some subject or pursuit: a votary of jazz.
  4. a devoted follower or admirer.
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adjective
  1. consecrated by a vow.
  2. of or relating to a vow.
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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. 2018

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.

  • The votaries of hydropathy are rarely victims of grave malady.

  • 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
  1. RC Church Eastern Churches a person, such as a monk or nun, who has dedicated himself or herself to religion by taking vows
  2. a devoted adherent of a religion, cause, leader, pursuit, etc
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adjective
  1. ardently devoted to the services or worship of God, a deity, or a saint
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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

n.

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).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper