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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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.
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If thou be poor, farewell thy reverence. --Chaucer.
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Reverence, which is the synthesis of love and fear.
--Coleridge.
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When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are
carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the
reverence of government islost. --Bacon.
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Note: Formerly, as in Chaucer, reverence denoted "respect"
"honor", without awe or fear.
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2. The act of revering; a token of respect or veneration; an
obeisance.
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Make twenty reverences upon receiving . . . about
twopence. --Goldsmith.
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And each of them doeth all his diligence
To do unto the feast reverence. --Chaucer.
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3. That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence;
reverend character; dignity; state.
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I am forced to lay my reverence by. --Shak.
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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.
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{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}.
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Such a one as a man may not speak of, without he
say. "Sir reverence." --Shak.
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{To do reverence}, to show reverence or honor; to perform an
act of reverence.
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Now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence. --Shak.
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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.
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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.
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Let . . . the wife see that she reverence her husband.
--Eph. v. 33.
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Those that I reverence those I fear, the wise. --Shak.
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