devotion

Everyday

1. Great love and loyalty to someone or something. tree →
2. Giving a lot of time and effort to a job, hobby or cause. tree →
3. (church) Prayer and worship; «devotions» are short prayers or a time of prayer. tree →

In the lessons

It praises someone for faithful love or hard work: «devotion to duty», «devotion to her family», «with great devotion». In stories it shows loyalty, like a dog's devotion to its owner or a friend who never gives up. In church life «daily devotions» means a short time of Bible reading and prayer; Christians believe devotion to God shows in prayer and in kindness.

Examples

• The dog's devotion to the old shepherd was famous in the village. tree →
• Her devotion to the violin meant she practised every single day. tree →
• The nurses were thanked for their devotion during the hard winter. tree →
• Grandma reads a psalm in her morning devotions. tree →
• Mole's devotion to his friend Rat grew stronger after the adventure in the Wild Wood. tree →
• The team showed real devotion by training in the rain. tree →
• A mother's devotion to her baby is a kind of love that does not count the cost. tree →
• You will rejoice at my happiness; for your devotion to me is great and sincere." tree →

Note

Noun; mostly uncountable («great devotion»), but «devotions» (plural) means prayers. The verb is «devote» (devote time to something) and the adjective «devoted» (a devoted friend). Follow it with «to»: devotion to someone, not «devotion for».

In Jewish tradition

It means reverence and fear of God, the spirit of serving Him.

Interpretation. Job's friend accuses him of weakening reverence for God, and tradition values proper awe as the beginning of wisdom.

Examples

• Yea, thou doest away with fear, and impairest devotion before God. (Writings JOB.15.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Noun; mostly uncountable («great devotion»), but «devotions» (plural) means prayers. The verb is «devote» (devote time to something) and the adjective «devoted» (a devoted friend). Follow it with «to»: devotion to someone, not «devotion for».