Ded"i*cate (?), p. a. [L. dedicatus, p. p. of dedicare to affirm, to dedicate; de- + dicare to declare, dedicate; akin to dicere to say. See Diction.] Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated. "Dedicate to nothing temporal." Shak.

Syn. -- Devoted; consecrated; addicted.

Ded"i*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dedicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dedicating.] 1. To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity, or for sacred uses; to devote formally and solemnly; as, to dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, or a church, to a religious use.

Vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, . . . which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. . . . But in a larger sense we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground.

2. To devote, set apart, or give up, as one's self, to a duty or service.

The profession of a soldier, to which he had dedicated himself.

3. To inscribe or address, as to a patron.

He complied ten elegant books, and dedicated them to the Lord Burghley.

Syn. -- See Addict.

• To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate.
  
• To set apart for a special use: dedicated their money to scientific research.
  
• To commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action: dedicated ourselves to starting our own business. See Synonyms at devote.
  
• To address or inscribe (a literary work, for example) to another as a mark of respect or affection.
  
• To open (a building, for example) to public use.
  
• To show to the public for the first time: dedicate a monument.