Library / English Dictionary

VOTARY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A devoted (almost religiously so) adherent of a cause or person or activity

Example:

the cultured votary of science

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("votary" is a kind of...):

adherent; disciple (someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A priest or priestess (or consecrated worshipper) in a non-Christian religion or cult

Example:

a votary of Aphrodite

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("votary" is a kind of...):

non-Christian priest; priest (a person who performs religious duties and ceremonies in a non-Christian religion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "votary"):

vestal virgin ((Roman mythology) one of the virgin priestesses consecrated to the Roman goddess Vesta and to maintaining the sacred fire in her temple)

bacchant ((classical mythology) a priest or votary of Bacchus)

bacchante ((classical mythology) a priestess or votary of Bacchus)

Sense 3

Meaning:

One bound by vows to a religion or life of worship or service

Example:

monasteries of votaries

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("votary" is a kind of...):

religious (a member of a religious order who is bound by vows of poverty and chastity and obedience)

Credits