a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
<noun.feeling> the fear of God the Chinese reverence for the dead the French treat food with gentle reverence his respect for the law bordered on veneration
a reverent mental attitude
<noun.cognition>
an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy)
<noun.act> [ verb ]
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
Reverence \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.
Reverence \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.
Americans in the nation's biggest cities killed each other in record numbers this year, a rise in carnage police blame on guns, drugs and a declining reverence for human life.
Opposition political parties condemn excessive reverence for the emperor, which they say is fostered by bureaucrats and the press.
"But a reverence for life would be their common concern," said Linck.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised the Dalai Lama's message of universal reverence and respect for all living things.
Still, he had a hard time breaking out of the 'prince' track, and this left him with an extreme reverence for American modern dance.
What Rev. Thompson lacked in cash, he compensated for with his reverence for learning.
It reflected the reverence with which Swedes regard a storyteller who has spellbound three generations.
Given the gravity of the situation, however, reverence for nature and respect for science can go only so far.
"The reverence with which Griggs handles Holly's belongings was strong enough to draw him and his family to Lubbock from his home in Wethersfield, Conn., in 1980 after having visited here for several years.
On to "His Eye Is on The Sparrow," a hymn of reverence featuring co-leader Jim Mesich, an environmental consultant, on his euphonium, a higher-pitched cousin of Newberger's plumbing.
'I accepted his rule, as did everyone, with fear and reverence and distant adoration.
The art works, some dating to the 11th century, reflect the reverence for the written word in medieval Islam, stemming from the holy scriptures of the prophet Muhammad known as the Koran.
Scenario one: This movie about Chicago firefighters could be the one film that taps into the reverence for pure, old-fashioned heroism that swept the country during the Persian Gulf war.
Try to find out specific areas of national reverence, both religious and political. Find out if taxis hailed in the street are safe.
He seeks to persuade U.S. companies that they will profit by treating creators with more respect and rewardhe says foreign firms show "reverence."
There was nothing patronising about the tableau: it was one of the most moving examples of reverence for life observed on a stage. And this was no prefabricated platform in a community arts centre.
To many Japanese, Western art purchases are a display of reverence for an artistic tradition they have long respected.
It is a music that speaks with particular relevance to restless Soviet musicians who have a profoundly ingrained reverence for musical tradition but who feel confined by the restrictions of that tradition.
Even opponents agree the desert deserves special reverence.