devotee
UK[ˌdevəˈtiː]US[ˌdevəˈtiː]
n
a person who is very enthusiastic about and loyal to a person, belief, or activity
n
a person who is very religious and devoted to God
Morpheme Breakdown
devote
ee
devote
to dedicate by a vow
ee
Etymology
The word 'devotee' is built upon the verb 'devote', which originates from the Latin devovere, meaning "to vow solemnly" or "to dedicate". This Latin term itself is composed of de- (expressing completeness) and vovere (to vow). The suffix '-ee', borrowed from the Anglo-French legal and passive agent suffix, was attached in the 17th century to form a noun meaning "one who is devoted". Thus, the literal construction signifies "a person who has been dedicated or vowed", evolving from a strictly religious context of one devoted to God to a broader secular meaning of an ardent enthusiast or follower of any cause or person.
Analysis
Structure: devote + ee
devote: From Latin devotus, past participle of devovere (to vow, to dedicate), meaning "to dedicate by a vow".
ee: A noun-forming suffix of Anglo-French origin, indicating a person who is the object or beneficiary of an action.
Examples
She is a devoted yoga devotee, practicing every morning without fail.
The museum attracts devotees of modern art from around the world.
As a devotee of the local football club, he attends every home game.