votive

American  

[voh-tiv] / ˈvoʊ tɪv /

adjective

1. offered, given, dedicated, etc., in accordance with a vow.

   a votive offering.

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

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

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votive British  

/ ˈvəʊtɪv /

adjective

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

2. RC Church optional; not prescribed; having the nature of a voluntary offering

   a votive Mass

   a votive candle

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Other Word Forms

• votively adverb
• votiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of votive

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

Example Sentences

Natalie jumped— it always scared her when the lights went out in a storm—but she quickly got over it and helped her mom light a handful of small votive candles.

From Literature

By Friday morning, a small makeshift memorial of votive candles and roses had sprung up outside of a ground-level apartment neighbors said was associated with the man who was killed.

From Los Angeles Times

Other discoveries include a votive token depicting Christ offering a blessing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rosales juxtaposes a wall of psychedelic party posters, glowing beneath blacklight, with a roadside shrine of flowers and votive candles remembering loss.

From Los Angeles Times

Black lights illuminated the arena, giving the room a purple glow, aided by flickering votive candles at the center of each table.

From Los Angeles Times