dedicate

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
dedicate/ˈdedɪkeɪt/

▶verb

• 1 devote to a subject, task, or purpose: Joan has dedicated her life to animals.

• 2 address (a book) to a person, as a sign of respect or affection.

  ■ ceremonially assign (a church or other building) to a deity or saint.

– derivatives
dedicatee noun,
dedicator noun,
dedicatory adjective.

– origin ME: from L. dedicat-, dedicare ‘to devote or consecrate’.