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Devote

1. To appropriate by vow; to set apart or dedicate by a solemn act; to consecrate; also, to consign over; to doom; to evil; to devote one to destruction; the city was devoted to the flames. No devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the lord . . . Shall be sold or redeemed. (Lev. Xxvii. 28)

2. To execrate; to curse.

3. To give up wholly; to addict; to direct the attention of wholly or compound; to attach; often with a reflexive pronoun; as, to devote one's self to science, to one's friends, to piety, etc. Thy servant who is devoted to thy fear. (Ps. Cxix. 38) They devoted themselves unto all wickedness. (Grew) A leafless and simple branch . . . Devoted to the purpose of climbing. (Gray)

Synonym: to addict, apply, dedicate, consecrate, resign, destine, doom, consign. See addict.

Origin: L. Devotus, p. P. Of devovere; de _ vovere to vow. See Vow, and cf. Devout, Devow.