votary

comparative more votary · superlative most votary

1. Consecrated by a vow or promise; consequent on a vow; devoted; promised.

   And votary Reſolution is made Equipollent to Cuſtome

   1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Custom and Education”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 232

plural votaries

1. A person, such as a monk or nun, who lives a religious life according to vows they have made.
2. A devotee of a particular religion or cult.
3. A devout or zealous worshipper.
4. broadlySomeone who is devoted to a particular pursuit etc.

   The room was commonly emptied after that, or only left in possession of a very few and persevering votaries of pleasure.

   1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter XXXI, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume I, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849, →OCLC, page 304

   4 more examples

   But it is not ſimply of the progreſs of luxury that we have to complain: did its votaries keep in their own ſphere of thoughtleſs diſſipation, we might deſpiſe them without emotion; but the frivolous purſuits of pleaſure are mingled with the moſt important concerns of the ſtate;

   1771, [Henry Mackenzie], The Man of Feeling, 2nd edition, London: Printed for T[homas] Cadell, […], →OCLC, page 79

   He is such a votary of the modern that he was inevitably interested in the girl of the future and had matched one reform with another, being ready to marry without a penny, as the clearest way of expressing his appreciation, this favourable specimen of the type.

   1893, Henry James, “Collaboration”, in The Wheel of Time; Collaboration; Owen Wingrave, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers publishers, →OCLC, page 109

   The indulgence of illicit pleasures, says Dr. S. Pancoast, sooner or later is sure to entail the most loathsome diseases on their votaries.

   1920, B. G. Jefferis, J. L. Nichols, “Sexual Proprieties and Improprieties”, in Searchlights on Health

   Gerty was dressed simply but with the instinctive taste of a votary of Dame Fashion for she felt that there was just a might that he might be out.

   1922 February 2, James Joyce, “[Episode 13]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC, part II [Odyssey], page 335

   Synonyms: enthusiast, addict, buff, aficionado, amateur, enthusiast, devotee, fancier

5. A loyal supporter or devoted admirer of a person or institution.

   Well then, ye who delight in laughter, ye who are votaries of the proverb, "Laugh and grow Fat;"

   1847, editorial staff, “The Yankee Blade”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 9, page 66