reverence

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An act of showing respect, such as a bow.

   August 2, 1758, Oliver Goldsmith, A Letter from a Traveller Make twenty reverences upon receiving […] about twopence.

2. 2
   noun

   The state of being revered.

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

3. 3
   noun

   A form of address for some members of the clergy.

   Your Reverence

4. 4
   noun

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

   Thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me That I am forced to lay my reverence by.

5. 5
   verb

   To show or feel reverence to.

   I reverence every precept / And promise in Thy word

6. 6
   noun

   an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy)

7. 7
   noun

   a reverent mental attitude

8. 8
   noun

   a feeling of profound respect for someone or something

Etymology

From Middle English reverence (noun) and reverencen (verb), from Old French reverence and Latin reverentia, from Latin revereor (“to stand in awe, respect, revere”), from re- + vereor, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to cover, heed, notice”).