votary
Americannoun
plural
votaries-
a person who is bound by solemn religious vows, as a monk or a nun.
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an adherent of a religion or cult; a worshiper of a particular deity or sacred personage.
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a person who is devoted or addicted to some subject or pursuit.
a votary of jazz.
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a devoted follower or admirer.
adjective
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consecrated by a vow.
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of or relating to a vow.
noun
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RC Church Eastern Churches a person, such as a monk or nun, who has dedicated himself or herself to religion by taking vows
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a devoted adherent of a religion, cause, leader, pursuit, etc
adjective
Other Word Forms
- votaress noun
Etymology
Origin of votary
Explanation
If your sister is a Sister in the Roman Catholic Church, then she is a votary. People who have devoted their lives to religious service are called votaries. The noun votary does not necessarily have to be a member of a religious order. A votary can be a person who is a devoted follower of a person or cause. Plenty of history majors are votaries of Abraham Lincoln, but if you prefer more obscurity in your interest in presidents, you may be a votary of William Henry Harrison, who died on his thirty-second day in office — of a cold.
Vocabulary lists containing votary
The Federalist Papers, No. 1 by Alexander Hamilton
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The Testaments
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Democracy in America, Volume II
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“He was a colossus, a true votary of ahimsa,” Lal wrote, “and a very compassionate man.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2024
But Asha Devi, a huge votary of capital punishment, insists that it was justified.
From BBC • Dec. 15, 2022
Shakespeare’s private idolatry, his not so secret votary worship, is the Goddess of Love.
From The Guardian • Apr. 18, 2016
In one chapter he takes his bearings from the watercolourist Eric Ravilious, "a votary of whiteness and remoteness, and a visionary of the everyday".
From The Guardian • May 31, 2012
As the fan blew upon it, the flame of the votary candle swayed and flickered.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
