votive

adjective vo·tive \ ˈvō-tiv \

Definition of votive

1 : consisting of or expressing a vow, wish, or desire

a votive prayer

2 : offered or performed in fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotion

—

votively

adverb

—

votiveness

noun

See votive defined for English-language learners

See votive defined for kids

Recent Examples of votive from the Web

White candles tucked into antique brass candlesticks, brass shot glasses that double as votive holders, a bay leaf garland and heirloom pumpkins cast a note of laid-back romance onto the holiday table.

— elle decor editors, ELLE Decor, "20+ Sophisticated Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas," 31 Oct. 2017
In the votive candlelight glow of June’s tribute, the everyday accouterments of their white-collar desks acquire a noble spirit, becoming standards of her world’s lost hopes and ideals.

— rena gross, Billboard, "'The Handmaid's Tale': Season 2, Episode 2 Recap - 10 Lingering Takeaways from 'Unwomen'," 26 Apr. 2018
The seeds would sprout and the figures would be dried in the sun, wrapped in linen and placed on the waterway in votive barques guided to Canopus.

— edward rothstein, WSJ, "‘Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds’ Review: Treasures Beneath the Waves," 27 Mar. 2018
Gridded glass, akin to Wagner’s tile floors, gives Louise Roe’s votive holders additional play of light.

— janelle zara, WSJ, "A Masterpiece of Modernist Architecture? I Had My Doubts," 16 Mar. 2018
Soy wax is poured into an opaque handcrafted glass, in both a votive size ($25 with a 30-hour burn time) a larger tumbler with a satin brass lid ($65, 60-hour burn time).

— melanie rud chadwick, Allure, "Kendra Scott Is Launching a Gorgeous Gemstone-Inspired Candle Collection," 28 Mar. 2018
Renato simply painted a series of bars and blocks in red, black or white around its edges, giving it a kind of frame and turning it into a votive object of a female goddess.

— roberta smith and martha schwendener, New York Times, "What to See in New York Art Galleries This Week," 10 Jan. 2018
Struggling to explain the phenomenon, some scholars have described the mummies as votive offerings, akin to candles in Catholic churches.

— jonathon keats, Discover Magazine, "The Animal Mummy Business," 10 Nov. 2017
A second vigil was held at Bayfront Park, where more than 300 people came together to burn votive candles.

— alexandria bordas, miamiherald, "Top three states with the most hate groups: Guess where Florida ranks?," 14 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'votive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.