votive

[ voh-tiv ]

/ ˈvoʊ tɪv /

adjective

offered, given, dedicated, etc., in accordance with a vow: a votive offering.

performed, undertaken, etc., in consequence of a vow.

of the nature of or expressive of a wish or desire.

Nearby words

Origin of votive

1585–95; < Latin vōtīvus, equivalent to vōt(um) a vow + -īvus -ive

Related formsvo·tive·ly, adverbvo·tive·ness, noun

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

Examples from the Web for votive

You can now find her hooded image on cars, necklaces, votive candles, tattoos, and altars across Mexico and the United States.
America’s Fastest Growing Death Holiday Is From Mexico|Michael Schulson|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The image registers, simultaneously, as both very crude and utterly credible, like a votive offering to our technological age.
Candle in the (Digital) Wind|Blake Gopnik|January 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Beyond doubt it was of Ancient Egyptian workmanship and probably a genuine Bubastite votive offering.
The Green Eyes of Bst|Sax Rohmer
The sanctuary is all marble, there are handsome stained glass windows and many historic pictures and votive offerings.
Montreal 1535-1914, Volume II (of 2)|William Henry Atherton

Votive offerings of the city of Paris to Ste. Geneviève also exist in the ambulatory.
Seeing Europe with Famous Authors, Volume 3|Various
On most of the walls were votive offerings in the shape of pictures, sent to the monks by grateful visitors in far-off countries.
The Princess Passes|Alice Muriel Williamson and Charles Norris Williamson
Tablet with votive relief representing a female breast, dedicated by Isias.
A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2)|A. H. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for votive

votive

/ (ˈvəʊtɪv) /

adjective

offered, given, undertaken, performed or dedicated in fulfilment of or in accordance with a vow

RC Church optional; not prescribed; having the nature of a voluntary offeringa votive Mass; a votive candle

Derived Formsvotively, adverbvotiveness, noun

Word Origin for votive

C16: from Latin vōtīvus promised by a vow, from vōtum a 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 votive

votive

adj.

1590s, "dedicated or given in fulfillment of a vow," from Middle French votif, from Latin votivus "of or pertaining to a vow, conforming to one's wishes," from votum (see vow).