Etymology Map
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Devote

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to give time or effort to

Where does the word "devote" come from? It comes from Latin devovere, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
devovere
Latin · ancient
"to vow"
'de-' plus 'vovere', to vow
2
Stage 2 of 2
devote
English · 1580s
"to dedicate by vow"
'devout' and 'devotion' are older
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Read the full story

Devote’s story begins in Latin: devovere meant “to vow.” 'de-' plus 'vovere', to vow. It reached English by 1580s as devote. 'devout' and 'devotion' are older. Today, devote means to give time or effort to.