ded•i•cate
Pronunciation: (v.ded'i-kāt"adj.ded'i-kit), [key] — v., adj. -cat•ed, -cat•ing,
—v.t. - to set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose: The ancient Greeks dedicated many shrines to Aphrodite.
- to devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose: He dedicated his life to fighting corruption.
- to offer formally (a book, piece of music, etc.) to a person, cause, or the like in testimony of affection or respect, as on a prefatory page.
- (loosely) to inscribe a personal signature on (a book, drawing, etc., that is one's own work), usually with a salutation addressing the recipient.
- to mark the official completion or opening of (a public building, monument, highway, etc.), usually by formal ceremonies.
- to set aside for or assign to a specific function, task, or purpose: The county health agency has dedicated one inspector to monitor conditions in nursing homes.
—adj. - dedicated.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.