DeVoto

Devoto is a term found in several Romance languages with related meanings centered on devotion and worship. Etymologically, it derives from Latin devotus, from votum 'vow', conveying the sense of being consecrated or dedicated to a religious or ceremonial end.

In Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, devoto or its feminine form devota is used both as an adjective and as a noun. As an adjective, it means devout or devoted to religious worship, for example una persona devota or un cristiano devoto. As a noun, it refers to a devotee or adherent, for instance a devoto or la devota. The feminine form is devota in these languages. In English-language discussions, the word is largely encountered in religious or linguistic contexts.

In addition to its linguistic use, devoto appears in onomastics and toponymy. It is used as a surname and as part of place names. A well-known example is Villa Devoto, a residential district in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In cultural usage, the term often appears in literature, religious texts, and discussions of devotion, prayer, and piety. Related terms include devotion and devotee.