Definitions for: Reverence


[n] a reverent mental attitude
[n] a profound fear inspired by a deity
[v] regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of; "Fear God as your father"; "We venerate genius"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.


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.

Synonyms: awe, fear, revere, venerate, veneration

Antonyms: irreverence

See Also: attitude, enshrine, esteem, fear, fearfulness, fright, mental attitude, prise, prize, respect, saint, value, worship

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