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votary

[voh-tuh-ree]
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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

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3. buff, fan, admirer, devotee.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for votaries

Historical Examples

  • 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

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