Irish. [prob. f. DEVOTE sb.1 or DEVOTEE; the equivalent Ir. móidín is however connected with Ir. móidim I dedicate or devote.] A very religious person; a devotee.
1830–2. W. Carleton, Traits (1843), I. 16. Up near the altar … you might perceive a voteen, repeating some new prayer or choice piece of devotion.
1856. P. Kennedy, Banks of Boro (1867), 184. One of the class that is called in Scotland ‘The unco guid,’ and ‘Voteens’ among ourselves. Ibid., 333. He had considered his neighbour a voteen and twaddler.
