I. A devoting, consecrating.
A. Prop.: “Deciorum devotiones,” the devoting of themselves, Cic. N. D. 3, 6, 15; cf. “vitae,” id. Rab. Post. 1 fin.; “capitis,” id. Dom. 57; a vow, Vulg. Act. 23, 1. —
B. Transf., fealty, allegiance, devotedness (late Lat.): “alicujus erga rempublicam, Treb. Poll. Gall. 14: Aquileiensium pro Romanis, Capitol. Maxim. et Balb. 11: quis fortes animat devotio mentes,” Nemes. Cyneg. 83 al.—Hence,
2. (Cf. devotus, P. a. no. B.) In Christian authors, piety, devotion, zeal, Lact. 2, 11 med.: “inutilis est Deo qui devotione caret,” id. 5, 19, 13; cf. “coupled with religio,” Lampr. Heliog. 3.—
II. A cursing, curse, imprecation, execration, Nep. Alcib. 4, 5: “pilae in quibus devotio fuerit scripta,” id. ib. 6, 5: “dissimulata nauseantis devotione,” Petr. 103, 6; v. also Macr. Sat. 3, 9.—
III. Sorcery, enchantment; and concr., a magical formula, incantation, spell, Suet. Calig. 3: “carmina et devotiones,” id. ib.; Tac. A. 2, 69: “devotionibus et veneno peremisse,” id. ib. 3, 13; “4, 52: conjugium (i. e. conjugem) principis devotionibus petere,” id. ib. 12, 65 al.—
B. Transf., any form of prayer: devotiones faustae, Ap. M. 11, p. 265, 5.
