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. -- 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.
Rev"er*en*cer (?), n. One who regards with reverence. "Reverencers of
crowned heads." Swift.
Rev"er*end (?), a. [F. révérend, L. reverendus, fr. revereri. See
Revere.] Worthy of reverence; entitled to respect mingled with fear and
affection; venerable.
A reverend sire among them came.
Milton.
They must give good example and reverend deportment in the face of
their children.
Jer. Taylor.
This word is commonly given as a title of respect to ecclesiastics. A
clergyman is styled the reverend; a dean, the very reverend; a bishop,
the right reverend; an archbishop, the most reverend.
Rev"er*end*ly, adv. Reverently. [Obs.] Foxe.
Rev"er*ent (?), a. [L. reverens, -entis, p. pr. of revereri. See
Revere.] 1. Disposed to revere; impressed with reverence; submissive;
humble; respectful; as, reverent disciples. "They . . . prostrate fell
before him reverent." Milton.
2. Expressing reverence, veneration, devotion, or submission; as,
reverent words; reverent behavior. Joye.
Rev`er*en"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. révérenciel. See Reverence.] Proceeding
from, or expressing, reverence; having a reverent quality; reverent;
as, reverential fear or awe. "A reverential esteem of things sacred."
South.
Rev`er*en"tial*ly, adv. In a reverential manner.
Rev"er*ent*ly, adv. In a reverent manner; in respectful regard.
Re*ver"er (?), n. One who reveres.
{ Rev"er*ie (?), Rev"er*y (?), } n.; pl. Reveries (#). [F. réverie, fr.
rêver to dream, rave, be light-headed. Cf. Rave.] 1. A loose or
irregular train of thought occurring in musing or mediation; deep
musing; daydream. "Rapt in nameless reveries." Tennyson.
When ideas float in our mind without any reflection or regard of
the understanding, it is that which the French call revery, our
language has scarce a name for it.
Locke.