reverence

reverence (ˈrɛvərəns)

—n
1.	a feeling or attitude of profound respect, usually reserved for the sacred or divine; devoted veneration
2.	an outward manifestation of this feeling, esp a bow or act of obeisance
3.	the state of being revered or commanding profound respect
4.	archaic saving your reverence a form of apology for using an obscene or taboo expression

—vb
5.	(tr) to revere or venerate

'reverencer

—n

Reverence (ˈrɛvərəns)

—n
	(preceded by Your or His) a title sometimes used to address or refer to a Roman Catholic priest

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

reverence

late 13c., from O.Fr. reverence, from L. reverentia "awe, respect," from revereri "to revere," from re-, intensive prefix, + vereri "stand in awe of, fear," from PIE *wer- "to be or become aware of" (cf. O.E. wær "aware, cautious;" see wary). The verb is first attested c.1300.

Example sentences

Far too many literary adaptations wear the fancy dress of high culture prestige

or bind themselves into corsets of reverence.

She made a deep reverence before them, a slighter but no less gracious one to

the company, and withdrew.

Air quality and energy efficiency have been outweighed by reverence for the car.

But some of us take this numinous reverence and express it through our

metaphorical and poetic religious traditions.

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Matching Quote

"Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."

-unknown author