DEVOTION

devotion

(noun) (usually plural) religious observance or prayers (usually spoken silently); “he returned to his devotions”

devotion, veneration, cultism

(noun) religious zeal; the willingness to serve God

devotion

(noun) commitment to some purpose; “the devotion of his time and wealth to science”

devotion, devotedness

(noun) feelings of ardent love; “their devotion to each other was beautiful”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

devotion (usually uncountable, plural devotions)

(uncountable) The act or state of devoting or being devoted.

(uncountable) Feeling of strong or fervent affection; dedication

(uncountable) Religious veneration, zeal, or piety.

(countable, ecclesiastical) A prayer (often found in the plural)

(in the plural, obsolete) Religious offerings; alms.

Source: Wiktionary

De*vo"tion, n. Etym: [F. dévotion, L. devotio.]

1. The act of devoting; consecration.

2. 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. Genius animated by a fervent spirit of devotion. Macaulay.

3. Act of devotedness or devoutness; manifestation of strong attachment; act of worship; prayer. "The love of public devotion." Hooker.

4. Disposal; power of disposal. [Obs.] They are entirely at our devotion, and may be turned backward and forward, as we please. Godwin.

5. A thing consecrated; an object of devotion. [R.] Churches and altars, priests and all devotions, Tumbled together into rude chaos. Beau. & Fl. Days of devotion. See under Day.

Syn.

– Consecration; devoutness; religiousness; piety; attachment; devotedness; ardor; earnestness.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition