early 13c., from Old French devocion "devotion, piety," from Latin devotionem (nominative devotio), noun of action from past participle stem of devovere "dedicate by a vow, sacrifice oneself, promise solemnly," from de- "down, away" (see de-) + vovere "to vow," from votum "vow" (see vow (n.)).
In ancient Latin, "act of consecrating by a vow," also "loyalty, fealty, allegiance;" in Church Latin, "devotion to God, piety." This was the original sense in English; the etymological sense, including secular situations, returned 16c. via Italian and French.
雙語例句
1. He was kneeling by his bed in an attitude of devotion.
他虔誠地跪在床邊。
來自柯林斯例句
2. He recalled her devotion to her husband during his hour of need.
他回憶起她在丈夫困難之時的忠貞奉獻。
來自柯林斯例句
3. I don't mean to keep criticising his devotion to his job.
我并不是要一再批評他對工作的專注。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Total devotion it certainly was, slavish devotion some would say.
這當然是絕對的忠誠，有人也許會稱之為俯首帖耳，唯命是從。
來自柯林斯例句
5. Despite his constant protes-tations of devotion and love, her doubts persisted.