Idioms

dedicate

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dedicate (someone or something) to (someone or something)

1. To devote oneself to a particular course of action. Once I had recovered from my injury, I dedicated myself to training for the marathon again. You need to dedicate yourself to your studies now, young lady, or else you'll be repeating the 10th grade! I've dedicated my entire career to the advancement of this company, but at what cost to my relationship with my family?
2. To allocate someone or something to a particular cause. Luckily, Carrie dedicated these interns to us, so the mailing shouldn't take all day. Hey, don't eat those chocolates! I've dedicated them to your sister's Easter basket. Can you please dedicate some time to cleaning up this paperwork?
3. To show one's affection for someone by naming them, as at the beginning of a book. Of course I dedicated my novel to wife, to show my appreciation for her unwavering support. You've only been dating for a few months. Did you really expect him to dedicate his book to you? A: "That was an awfully cryptic message at the beginning of his book." B: "I know, like a code! Will we ever know the identity of the person he dedicated his book to?"
4. To commit or pledge something to a religious entity or intention. Our church recently dedicated a beautiful shrine to Mary. In honor of its centennial, our church dedicated a beautiful golden cross to our patron saint. A nun dedicates her life to doing the Lord's work.
See also: dedicate, to
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

dedicate someone or something to someone or something

 
1. to reserve someone or something for the use of someone or something. The manager dedicated new assistants to the exclusive use of the legal department. The committee dedicated a corner in the library to books on agriculture.
2. to pledge someone or something to someone, something, a deity, or religious purposes. The elders dedicated the building to the glory of God. He dedicated himself to the prosecution of justice.
See also: dedicate, to
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

dedicate to

v.
1. To address or inscribe something to someone as a mark of respect or affection: The author dedicated the book to her nephew. This monument is dedicated to prisoners of war.
2. To set something apart for some deity or for religious use; consecrate something: The parish dedicated the new church to St. Peter. The temple was dedicated to Ra, the Egyptian sun god.
3. To set something apart for some special use: The convention organizers have dedicated this table to publishers who want to sell their books. This lane of traffic is dedicated to city buses.
4. To commit someone to some course of thought or action: The candidate dedicated herself to fixing social security. The mayor is dedicated to lowering taxes.
See also: dedicate, to
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
Before he can dedicate his suffering, first he must accept it.
We can dedicate our own suffering to God and feel empowered and sustained.
The other side of suffering: what can Jesus' passion teach us about our own suffering, and how can we transform suffering into opportunities for spiritual growth?
It is clear that glossators and critics mean by 'dedicate' what [OED.sup.2] s.v.
Though it is far from certain that directe did mean 'dedicate' in Chaucer's time, I have reserved this evidence for an Appendix since there can be no grounds for objection to an antedating if (a) the sense of the passage in question demands it; and (b) there is not an alternative sense recorded in the period which better fits the context.
The sense of 'Directe' in Chaucer's 'Troilus' V.1856: a correction
Since technology enables us to stay plugged in as much as we'd like to, it's useful to set some boundaries for yourself on what hours and what time you want to dedicate to your job.
Caroline Dorsa
ISPs can dedicate individual Cobalt RaQ server appliances to individual clients, providing greater flexibility and control of value-added services such as electronic commerce.
INTERSHOP, COBALT TEAM UP TO OFFER LINUX-BASED E-COMMERCE APPLIANCE
I have co-sponsored House Bill 3535 to permanently dedicate 1 percent of the general fund revenue dollars ($127 million) to a special fund for OSP's Patrol Division.
Bill would dedicate existing funds for Oregon State Police patrols
I am confident that immense blessings will be showered on all those who dedicate themselves to its implementation.
Bishop (Roman Danylak) reclaims Diocesan authority over school texts
The LMCC will dedicate part of the building to LMCC offices and volunteers, who will establish a center for events and exhibits.
Cultural council takes space at Maiden Lane
19, 1863, when the President was asked to dedicate a national cemetery.
The Gettysburg Address
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