Devotion
[dɪ'vəʊʃ(ə)n] or [dɪ'voʃən]
Definition
(noun.) (usually plural) religious observance or prayers (usually spoken silently); 'he returned to his devotions'.
(noun.) commitment to some purpose; 'the devotion of his time and wealth to science'.
(noun.) feelings of ardent love; 'their devotion to each other was beautiful'.
Edited by Barbie--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of devoting; consecration.
(n.) The state of being devoted; addiction; eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness.
(n.) Act of devotedness or devoutness; manifestation of strong attachment; act of worship; prayer.
(n.) Disposal; power of disposal.
(n.) A thing consecrated; an object of devotion.
Inputed by Clara
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Consecration, dedication.[2]. Piety, religion, devoutness, religiousness, devotedness, holiness, sanctity, saintliness, godliness.[3]. Worship, adoration, prayer.[4]. Attachment, affection, love.[5]. Ardor, earnestness, eagerness, zeal.
Checked by Francis
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Piety, devoutness, religiousness, dedication, self-abandonment, consecration,ardor, self-surrender, self-sacrifice, love, attachment
ANT:Impiety, profanity, selfishness, aversion, alienation, antipathy, indifference,apathy
Checker: Scott
Unserious Contents or Definition
For a farmer to dream of showing his devotion to God, or to his family, denotes plenteous crops and peaceful neighbors. To business people, this is a warning that nothing is to be gained by deceit. For a young woman to dream of being devout, implies her chastity and an adoring husband.
Typed by Clint
Examples
- Having first seen him perfectly swallowed up in admiration of Mrs. Jellyby, I had supposed her to be the absorbing object of his devotion. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Probably the chief cause of devotion to rigidity of method is, however, that it seems to promise speedy, accurately measurable, correct results. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- He deserved it all--all labour, all devotion, all sacrifice; I would have toiled up a scaleless Alp, to pluck a flower that would please him. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- I went back and teased Dr. John about Madame's devotion to him. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Permit me to give an idea of my devotion to my aunt's interests by recording that, on this occasion, I committed the prodigality of taking a cab. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Love looks and longs, and dares not; Passion hovers round, and is kept at bay; Truth and Devotion are scared. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- This excellent woman was worthy of her child's devotion. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- But I have never changed in my devotion to her, except--if she will forgive my saying so--that it is deeper than it was, and better founded. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Now, his devotion to you must be a disinterested one; mustn't it? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- What is the secret of Madame Fosco's unhesitating devotion of herself to the fulfilment of my boldest wishes, to the furtherance of my deepest plans? Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- What was his devotion worth to her? George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- In Roman catholic countries, the spirit of devotion is supported altogether by the monks, and by the poorer parochial clergy. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- And you reward me after years of devotion by giving me your blessing upon my marriage, forsooth, with this flaunting Irish girl! William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- There was neither jealousy, inquietude, or mistrust in his sentiment; it was devotion and faith. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- No office, no devotion, no watching was irksome to her, as it regarded him. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Men find themselves a part of Merry England or Holy Russia; they grow up into these devotions; they accept them as a part of their nature. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Except for the weak and the women, there remained little comfort or assurance in the sacrifices, ritual and formal devotions of the temples. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Every one of them is capable of cruelties and fine emotions, of despairs and devotions and self-forgetful effort. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He knelt to make his devotions. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The devotions consisted only of two hymns from the Plymouth Collection and a short prayer, and seldom occupied more than fifteen minutes. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Such was our daily life on board the ship--solemnity, decorum, dinner, dominoes, devotions, slander. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Now I am the first man in the state, burthen of every ballad, and object of old women's mumbled devotions. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- My devotions that night were all thanksgiving. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Typist: Oliver