reverence

[ rev-er-uhns, rev-ruhns ]

noun

1. a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration.

   Synonyms: esteem, honor

   Antonyms: contempt

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, or treated with respect tinged with awe.
5. (initial capital letter) a title used in addressing or mentioning a member of the clergy (usually preceded by your or his ).

verb (used with object)

, rev·er·enced, rev·er·enc·ing.

1. to regard or treat with reverence; venerate:

   One should reverence God and His laws.

   Synonyms: adore, honor, revere

Reverence

¹

/ ˈrɛvərəns /

noun

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

reverence

²

/ ˈrɛvərəns /

noun

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. saving your reverence archaic.
   a form of apology for using an obscene or taboo expression

verb

1. tr to revere or venerate

Derived Forms

• ˈreverencer, noun

Other Words From

• rever·enc·er noun
• non·rever·ence noun
• self-rever·ence noun
• un·rever·enced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverence¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin reverentia “respect, fear, awe”; equivalent to revere ¹ + -ence

Example Sentences

They included the officers who had turned their backs on the Jumbotron, but there now was only reverence in their ranks.

From The Daily Beast

Labor Day is always a day that blends celebration with reverence.

From The Daily Beast

Brewers and legal experts speak of him in hushed tones, with equal parts irritation and reverence.

From The Daily Beast

Bigger than ever, the sport is at a crossroads, teetering between reverence for its healing past and fear of a pain-filled future.

From The Daily Beast

Lincoln was just wrong to hope that “reverence for the laws” would become our “political religion.”

From The Daily Beast

I reached the spot where she stood, she began to speak, and I took off my hat as if doing reverence to an angel.

From Project Gutenberg

As you have already been told, Yung Pak had from his earliest days been taught the deepest reverence and honour for his father.

From Project Gutenberg

I have a strong reverence for traditions, and no taste whatever for democracy—that would be too long a step.

From Project Gutenberg

Car les Sauvages ayans encore de la reverence aux sepultures de leurs peres & amis, le vouloient porter au Cap de Sable 40.

From Project Gutenberg

This depth of emotion was entirely unaffected, and secured for her the peculiar reverence of the sacred sisters.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admiration
• adoration
• awe
• deference
• devotion
• esteem
• loyalty
• piety
• respect
• veneration