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reverence Definition

rev·er·ence (rev′ə rəns, rev′rəns)

noun

  1. a feeling or attitude of deep respect, love, and awe, as for something sacred; veneration
  2. a manifestation of this; specif., a bow, curtsy, or similar gesture of respect; obeisance
  3. the state of being revered
  4. a title used in speaking to or of a member of the clergy: preceded by Your or by His or Her

Etymology: OFr < L reverentia < reverens: see reverent

transitive verb -·enced, -·enc·ing

to treat or regard with reverence; venerate

reverence Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • hush: To the Rock Majority, however, mention of the eighties brings hushed reverence for who?
  • inspire: Rather than grandeur moving you to worship as in a cathedral, here is a space where smallness and intimacy inspire a quiet reverence.
  • show: May we follow their example in showing a reverence for all creation?
  • feel: We felt a great reverence for those who left to come to the U.S. to find a harsh environment to greet them.
  • do: May the rebel land approach at your command, and do reverence to you.

Preposition: for

  • nature: The root of my spirituality is reverence for nature.
  • tradition: Too great a reverence for tradition can lead to both errors.
  • life: They have a great reverence for all life in Nature, they do not cast harmful spells, they don't worship Satan.
  • law: And his reverence for the ancient Law is apparent there also.
  • thing: We must have in us enough reverence for all things outside us to make us tread fearfully on the grass.
  • beauty: He can see the wholeness of life and feels a deep reverence for the beauty of it all.

Adjective modifier

  • superstitious: Neither do I regard a new-born child with any superstitious reverence.
  • filial: With all filial reverence devoutly do we kiss your blessed feet.
  • profound: This was the executioner, who is half converted by the woman, and shows the most profound reverence for her.
  • holy: Deep and holy reverence is enforced upon us by every page of divine truth, and every dictate of the human conscience.
  • deep: The couple had much in common, their children were to be brought up with a deep reverence for religion.
  • due: Charles received the Vicar of Christ with all due reverence.

Modifies a noun

  • ee: An example from this delightful collection is provided below: Reverence Ee, but it's aall se grand!
reverence Quotes

Hatless, I take off My cycle-clips in awkward reverence.

—Larkin, Philip Arthur

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, Forgive our foolish ways! Re-clothe us in our rightful mind, In purer lives thy service find, In deeper reverence praise

—Whittier,John Greenleaf

Just a little more reverence, please, and not so much astonishment.

—Sargent, Sir (Harold) MalcolmWatts

His fellow creatures are still objects of reverence and love, though their basenesses are plainer to no eye than to his. To reconcile these contradictions is the task of all good men.

—Carlyle,Thomas

Let knowledge grow from more to more, But more of reverence in us dwell; That mind and soul, according well, May make one music as before.

—Tennyson

Some men look at Constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the Ark of the Covenant ötoo sacred to be touched.

—Jefferson,Thomas