self-devotion

American  

[self-di-voh-shuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf dɪˈvoʊ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. intense devotion of oneself to an activity or to a field or profession, as art or science.

2. devotion of oneself to the care or service of another or others; self-sacrifice.

   Her self-devotion to her sick mother prevented her from finishing college.

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Other Word Forms

• self-devoted adjective
• self-devotedly adverb
• self-devotedness noun

Etymology

Origin of self-devotion

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

The lesser-known “vulnerable” variety of self-devotion afflicts more reserved, fragile individuals who may resemble the self-effacing and thin-skinned characters portrayed by Woody Allen in his films.

From Scientific American • Feb. 5, 2013

"No man in the world was ever so sincere and modest in his self-devotion," wrote Marie in her secret notebook.

From Time Magazine Archive

He required from His disciples the completest self-renunciation, combined with enthusiastic self-devotion to the duty of making the world better.

From The Making of an Apostle by Campbell, R. J. (Reginald John)

The Scottish missionaries were full of zeal and self-devotion, and were masters of a considerable store of learning.

From The English Church in the Middle Ages by Hunt, William

The self-devotion of the minister was well matched with the quiet heroism of the believer.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles