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votary

 - 3 dictionary results

vo⋅ta⋅ry

  [voh-tuh-ree] noun, plural -ries, adjective
Use votary in a Sentence
–noun Also, vo⋅ta⋅rist.
1. a person who is bound by solemn religious vows, as a monk or a nun.
2. an adherent of a religion or cult; a worshiper of a particular deity or sacred personage.
3. a person who is devoted or addicted to some subject or pursuit: a votary of jazz.
4. a devoted follower or admirer.
–adjective
5. consecrated by a vow.
6. of or pertaining to a vow.
Origin:
1540–50; < L vōt(um) a vow + -ary

Synonyms:
3. buff, fan, admirer, devotee.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To votary
vo·ta·ry   (vō'tə-rē)   
n.   pl. vo·ta·ries

    1. A person bound by vows to live a life of religious worship or service.

    2. A devout adherent of a cult or religion; a committed worshiper: the votaries of Aphrodite.

  2. A person who is fervently devoted, as to a leader or ideal; a faithful follower.

  3. A person who is filled with enthusiasm, as for a pursuit or hobby; an enthusiast.


[From Latin vōtum, vow; see vote.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

votary  (n.)
1546, "one consecrated by a vow," from L. 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 ref. to love).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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