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reverence - 5 dictionary results

rev⋅er⋅ence

  [rev-er-uhns, rev-ruhns] noun, verb, -enced, -enc⋅ing.
Use reverence in a Sentence
–noun
1. a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration.
2. the outward manifestation of this feeling: to pay reverence.
3. a gesture indicative of deep respect; an obeisance, bow, or curtsy.
4. the state of being revered.
5. (initial capital letter) a title used in addressing or mentioning a member of the clergy (usually prec. by your or his).
–verb (used with object)
6. to regard or treat with reverence; venerate: One should reverence God and His laws.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < L reverentia respect, fear, awe. See revere 1 , -ence

Related forms:
rev⋅er⋅enc⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. honor, esteem. 6. revere, honor, adore.

Antonyms:
1. contempt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reverence
rev·er·ence   (rěv'ər-əns)   
n.  
  1. A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration. See Synonyms at honor.
  2. An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
  3. The state of being revered.
  4. Reverence Used as a form of address for certain members of the Christian clergy: Your Reverence.
tr.v.   rev·er·enced, rev·er·enc·ing, rev·er·enc·es
To consider or treat with profound awe and respect; venerate.
rev'er·enc·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Reverence

Rev"er*ence\, n. [F. r['e]v['e]rence, L. reverentia. See Reverent.]

1. Profound respect and esteem mingled with fear and affection, as for a holy being or place; the disposition to revere; veneration.

If thou be poor, farewell thy reverence. --Chaucer.

Reverence, which is the synthesis of love and fear. --Coleridge.

When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government islost. --Bacon.

Note: Formerly, as in Chaucer, reverence denoted "respect" "honor", without awe or fear.

2. The act of revering; a token of respect or veneration; an obeisance.

Make twenty reverences upon receiving . . . about twopence. --Goldsmith.

And each of them doeth all his diligence To do unto the feast reverence. --Chaucer.

3. That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.

I am forced to lay my reverence by. --Shak.

4. A person entitled to be revered; -- a title applied to priests or other ministers with the pronouns his or your; sometimes poetically to a father. --Shak.

Save your reverence, Saving your reverence, an apologetical phrase for an unseemly expression made in the presence of a priest or clergyman.

Sir reverence, a contracted form of Save your reverence.

Such a one as a man may not speak of, without he say. "Sir reverence." --Shak.

To do reverence, to show reverence or honor; to perform an act of reverence.

Now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. --Shak.

Syn: Awe; honor; veneration; adoration; dread.

Usage: Awe, Reverence, Dread, Veneration. Reverence is a strong sentiment of respect and esteem, sometimes mingled slightly with fear; as, reverence for the divine law. Awe is a mixed feeling of sublimity and dread in view of something great or terrible, sublime or sacred; as, awe at the divine presence. It does not necessarily imply love. Dread is an anxious fear in view of an impending evil; as, dread of punishment. Veneration is reverence in its strongest manifestations. It is the highest emotion we can exercise toward human beings. Exalted and noble objects produce reverence; terrific and threatening objects awaken dread; a sense of the divine presence fills us with awe; a union of wisdom and virtue in one who is advanced in years inspires us with veneration.

Reverence

Rev"er*ence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reverenced; p. pr. & vb. n. Reverencing.] To regard or treat with reverence; to regard with respect and affection mingled with fear; to venerate.

Let . . . the wife see that she reverence her husband. --Eph. v. 33.

Those that I reverence those I fear, the wise. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : reverence
Spanish: reverencia,
German: Verehrung,
Japanese: 尊敬
More Translations »

reverence 
c.1290, 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; revere (v.) is from 1661.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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