This week's theme
Words that aren't what they appear to be

This week's words
dispositive
holograph
plutarchy
reproof
votary

This week's comments
AWADmail 625

Next week's theme
Words borrowed from Spanish

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A Word A Day
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PRONUNCIATION:

(VOH-tuh-ree)

MEANING:

noun: 1. One who is devoted to an activity, person, institution, etc.
noun: 2. One who has taken vows to a religion, such as a monk or nun.
adjective: Bound by a vow or relating to a vow.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin votum (vow), from vovere (to vow), which also gave us vow, vote, and devote. Earliest documented use: 1546.

USAGE:

"The issue has been a matter of debate with strong votaries on both sides."
Road to Basel; Financial Express (New Delhi, India); May 4, 2012.

See more usage examples of votary in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: