Dĕd'i-cā'tion, n.

n. [Lat. dedicatio, Pr. dedicacio, Sp. dedicacion, It. dedicazione, Fr. dedicace.]

1. The act of setting apart or consecrating to a divine Being, or to a sacred use, often with religious solemnities; solemn appropriation; as, the dedication of Solomon’s temple.
2. The act of devoting or appropriating.
3. An address to a patron, prefixed to a book, testifying respect, and recommending the work to his protection and favor.