Part 309

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.

2. An extravagant conceit of the fancy; a vision. [R.]

There are infinite reveries and numberless extravagancies pass through both [wise and foolish minds].

Addison.