dedication
    n 1: complete and wholehearted fidelity
    2: a ceremony in which something (as a building) is dedicated to
       some goal or purpose
    3: a message that makes a pledge [syn: commitment,
       dedication]
    4: a short message (as in a book or musical work or on a
       photograph) dedicating it to someone or something [syn:
       dedication, inscription]
    5: the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally)
       to a course of action; "his long commitment to public
       service"; "they felt no loyalty to a losing team" [syn:
       commitment, allegiance, loyalty, dedication]

Dedication \Ded`i*ca"tion\, n. [L. dedicatio.]
   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A devoting or setting aside for any particular purpose;
      as, a dedication of lands to public use.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. An address to a patron or friend, prefixed to a book,
      testifying respect, and often recommending the work to his
      special protection and favor.
      [1913 Webster]

DEDICATION. Solemn appropriation. It may be expressed or implied. 
     2. An express dedication of property to public use is made by a direct 
appropriation of it to such use, and it will be enforced. 2 Peters, R. 566; 
6 Hill, N. Y. Rep. 407. 
     3. But a dedication of property to public or pious uses may be implied 
from the acts of the owner. A permission to the public for the space of 
eight or even six years, to use a street without bar or impediment, is 
evidence from which a dedication to the public may be inferred. 2 Bouv. 
Inst. n. 1631; 11 East, R. 376; 12 Wheat. R. 585; 10 Pet. 662; 2 Watts, 23; 
1 Whart. 469; 3 Verm, 279; 6 Verm. 365; 7 Ham. part 2, 135; 12 Wend. 172; 11 
Ala. R. 63, 81; 1 Spencer, 86; 8 Miss. R. 448 5 Watts & S. 141; Wright, 150; 
6 Hill, 407 24 Pick. 71; 6 Pet. 431, 498 9 Port.,527; 3 Bing. 447; sed vide 
5 Taunt. R. 125. Vide Street, and the following authorities: 3 Kent, Com. 
450; 5 Taunt. 125 5 Barn. & Ald. 454: 4 Barn. & Ald. 447; Math. Pres. 833. 
As to what shall amount to a dedication of an invention to public use, see 1 
Gallis. 482; 1 Paine's C. C. R. 345; 2. Pet. R. 1; 7 Pet. R. 292; 4 Mason, 
R. 1018. See Destination.