votary
[ voh-tuh-ree ]
/ ˈvoʊ tə ri /
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.
Nearby words
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for votary
British Dictionary definitions for votary
votary
/ (ˈvəʊtərɪ) /
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
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Word Origin and History for votary
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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper