| 1. | wholly committed to something, as to an ideal, political cause, or personal goal: a dedicated artist. |
| 2. | set apart or reserved for a specific use or purpose: We don't need a computer but a dedicated word processor. |
| 3. | (of machine parts, electrical components, hardware, etc.) made or designed to interconnect exclusively with one model or a limited range of models in a manufacturer's line: The new tractors use only high-priced dedicated accessories. |
verb, -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing, adjective | 1. | to set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose: The ancient Greeks dedicated many shrines to Aphrodite. |
| 2. | to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose: He dedicated his life to fighting corruption. |
| 3. | to offer formally (a book, piece of music, etc.) to a person, cause, or the like in testimony of affection or respect, as on a prefatory page. |
| 4. | (loosely) to inscribe a personal signature on (a book, drawing, etc., that is one's own work), usually with a salutation addressing the recipient. |
| 5. | to mark the official completion or opening of (a public building, monument, highway, etc.), usually by formal ceremonies. |
| 6. | to set aside for or assign to a specific function, task, or purpose: The county health agency has dedicated one inspector to monitor conditions in nursing homes. |
| 7. | dedicated. |
ded·i·cate (děd'ĭ-kāt') tr.v. ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing, ded·i·cates
[Middle English dedicaten, from Latin dēdicāre, dēdicāt- : dē-, de- + dicāre, to proclaim; see deik- in Indo-European roots.] ded'i·ca'tor n. |