Devotional
/dɪˈvoʊ.ʃən.əl/noun
Relating to devotion, especially religious devotion or acts expressing deep reverence.
Did you know?Devotional comes from the same Latin root as devote, originally tied to the idea of formally dedicating oneself to a deity, which is why devotion has always carried a ritual, almost spell-like sense of binding.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*u̯eh₁-
“To wish, choose, or desire.”
Latin
Latin
vovēre
“To vow, promise, or dedicate by a sacred promise.”
Latin
Latin
dēvōtus
“Devoted, consecrated, or vowed to a deity.”
Late Latin
Latin
dēvōtiō
“A vow of dedication or religious consecration.”
Old French
Old French
devociun
“Religious piety or fervent dedication.”
Middle English
English
devocioun
“Devotion, reverent attachment, especially in religion.”
Modern English
English
devotional
“Relating to devotion or religious observance.”