VOTARY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does votary mean? 

• VOTARY (noun)
  The noun VOTARY has 3 senses:

1. one bound by vows to a religion or life of worship or service

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

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

  Familiarity information: VOTARY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VOTARY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Context example:

monasteries of votaries

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

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

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Context example:

a votary of Aphrodite

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:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Context example:

the cultured votary of science

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

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

 Context examples 

Among the votaries of TERPSICHORE, who disported themselves until Sol gave warning for departure, Wilkins Micawber, Esquire, Junior, and the lovely and accomplished Miss Helena, fourth daughter of Doctor Mell, were particularly remarkable.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I burnt for the more active life of the world—for the more exciting toils of a literary career—for the destiny of an artist, author, orator; anything rather than that of a priest: yes, the heart of a politician, of a soldier, of a votary of glory, a lover of renown, a luster after power, beat under my curate's surplice.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)