devoted, ppl. a.
(dɪˈvəʊtɪd)
[f. devote v. + -ed1.]
1. Vowed; appropriated or set apart by a vow or formally; under a vow; dedicated, consecrated.
| 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. ii. 35 To stop deuoted charitable deeds. 1611 Heywood Gold. Age ii. Wks. 1874 III. 27 All deuoted To abandon men, and chuse virginity. 1623 Cockeram, Deuoted, vowed. 1638 Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. II. 113 A Societie of devoted persons, who continued in meditation so many houres a day. 1663 J. Spencer Prodigies (1665) 381 The Ethnick Temples and devoted places at Rome. 1829 N. Worcester Atoning Sacr. iv. (1830) 16 Laying the hands on the head of the devoted sacrifice. |
2. Characterized by devotion; zealously attached or addicted to a person or cause; enthusiastically loyal or faithful. (Of persons, their actions, etc.)
| 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 261 Being a devoted servant to the Prior. 1606 Marston Parasitaster iii. i, When you vow a most devoted love to one, you swear not to tender a most devoted love to another. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. i. i, Sir, your very devoted. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. III. xcvi. 348 These democratic institutions have cost the life work of thousands of devoted men. |
b. with to.
| 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio Ded. A ij, A Gentleman most sincerely devoted to your Honor. 1634 Peacham Gentl. Exerc. 13 A Gentleman of this Land wholly devoted to Puritanisme. 1791 Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest i, Her heart was devoted to La Motte. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 115 Devoted as Queensberry had always been to the cause of prerogative. |
3. Formally or surely consigned to evil or destruction; doomed.
| 1611 Bible Deut. xiii. 17 There shall cleave nought of the cursed [marg. deuoted] thing to thine hand. 1667 Milton P.L. v. 890 These wicked Tents devoted. 1700 Dryden Theodore & Hon. 124 He cheered the dogs to follow her who fled, And vowed revenge on her devoted head. 1718 Prior Solomon ii. 543 Round our devoted heads the billows beat. 1741 Middleton Cicero II. vi. (ed. 3) 59 He leaves him..a devoted victim to Milo. 1777 Priestley Philos. Necess. 183 All your violent declamation falls upon..my devoted head. a 1862 Buckle Civiliz. (1869) III. i. 16 Another storm burst on the devoted land. 1862 Trollope Orley F. xiii, Though the heaven should fall on her devoted head. |