▪ I. reverence, n.
(ˈrɛvərəns)
Also 3–7 reuerence; 4–6 reu-, reverens (5 -ense), 5–6 Sc. -ans.
[a. OF. reverence (mod.F. révérence), or ad. L. reverentia (cf. Sp. and Pg. reverencia, It. re-, riverenza, -zia): see reverent a. and -ence.]
1. Deep or due respect felt or shown towards a person on account of his or her position or relationship; deference. Now rare or Obs.
| c 1290 Beket 1311 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 144 Þe king..hauez us hidere i-send to schewi furst þe reuerence and grete loue also þat he hath to eov i-bore. 1340 Ayenb. 20 Uor þet me ne berþ naȝt worssipe and reuerence þer þet me ssolde. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xiv. 204 Þere þat richesse regneth reuerence folweth, And þat is plesaunte to pryde in pore and in riche. a 1400–50 Alexander 197 Lordis..lawe to him bowid, In reuerence of þe riche kyng at had þer rewme gydid. c 1450 Holland Howlat 869 Quhom thai ressaif with reuerens. 1535 Lyndesay Satyre 500 Vnto thy Celsitude I gif gloir, honour, laud, and reuerence. 1572 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ii. III. 8 In speakynge of my Princes I must use a due reverence and regarde. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 181 By his comely person, sweete affabilitie and grauitie, he would haue extorted reuerence from those that least loued him. 1668 Steele Husbandman's Calling vii. (1672) 186 There is nothing harder than for an indiscreet man to command due reverence in his house. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 98 ¶11 The forms of salutation, the different gradations of reverence, and all the adjustments of place and precedence. 1803 J. Porter Thaddeus v. (1831) 48 With reverence to my father and yourself, Your truly affectionate son. |
b. Deep respect and veneration for some thing, place, or person regarded as having a sacred or exalted character.
| c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 268 Þou art a preost: kneuli ne schalt þouȝ nouȝt, for reuerence of þat holi þing. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. B. 10 Thay teen vnto his temmple.., Reken with reuerence þay rechen his auter. c 1386 Chaucer Sompn. T. 1932 Hir preyere is of ful greet reuerence. c 1400 Mandeville (1839) xxxi. 307 No man [is] so hardy to schede Blode..for the reverence of an Ydole, that is worschipt there. 1431 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 274 In y⊇ worchippe and reuerence of y⊇ blysful trinite. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 9 b, Euery creature sholde honour, loue, and worshyp with all reuerence that blessed sacrament. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 5 b, He protesteth that he beareth all dew reverence to the holy churche of Rome. 1647 Herrick Noble Numbers, Reverence, True rev'rence is..The feare of God, commixt with cleanly love. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. i. iv. §23 After all, the greatest Reverence is due to Truth. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. xxviii. (1787) III. 75 The absurd reverence for antiquity, which could only tend to discourage the improvements of art. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. II. 221 The Indians are remarkable for the reverence which they entertain for the sepulchres of their kindred. 1856 Stanley Sinai & Pal. ii. i. (1858) 76 The real reverence due to the place, as the scene of the first great revelation of God to man. 1897 M. Kingsley W. Africa 526 The undoubted fact that women are notably deficient in real reverence for authority. |
| Comb. 1648 J. Beaumont Psyche xx. clxxxviii, The consecrated Body of the Priest With reverence-commanding Gems and Gold..invest. |
c. In phr. to have or hold (a person or thing) in (great, etc.) reverence.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. Prol. 32 And in myn herte haue hem in reuerence. c 1477 Caxton Jason 66 b, Saying that none euyll ne trouble mighte come to him..as long as he kept and helde hem in reuerence. 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 17 Next after the King, ye priestes which serue ye Idols are had in chiefe reuerence. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 206 We..haue that man in great reuerence, leaning to his doctrine and precepts Philosophicall. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 828 These dried carkasses they held in great reverence. 1643 Trapp Comm. Gen. xii. 18 Bradford was had in so great reverence and admiration for his holiness. 1771 Burke Corr. (1844) I. 303, I hold his memory in a reverence that is almost superstitious. 1848 Lytton Harold ii. ii, I hold the church in holy reverence. |
d. In phr. to pay, † do, or † make reverence to, to show respect or veneration for (a person or thing) by some action. (In early use implying sense 2.)
| c 1386 Chaucer Shipman's T. 1196 Al the chiere and reuerence That men hem doon at festes or at daunces. c 1400 Mandeville (1839) viii. 94 Seynt John stered in his Modres Wombe, and made reverence to his Creatour. c 1460 Vrbanitatis 36 in Babees Bk. (1868) 16 To þe nexte degre loke þou wysely To do hem Reuerence by and by. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon i. 40 Assoone as the messager sawe hym, he made hym due reuerence. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 292 b, Whan he came agayn to the aultar, the king rysing out of his seate, doeth him reverence. 1568 Tilney Disc. Mariage D ij, To whome after our reverence accordingly done, we drew neere. 1671 Milton P.R. i. 80, I saw The Prophet do him reverence. 1693 Dryden Ded. Examen Poet. Ess. (ed. Ker) II. 4 'Tis not with an ultimate intention to pay reverence to the Manes of Shakespeare [etc.]. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 154 Paying their reverence in a manner much more rational. 1879 H. Phillips Worship of Sun (1880) 5 The reverence paid to the heavenly orbs. |
2. A gesture indicative of respect; an obeisance; a bow or curtsy. (Cf. prec.)
| 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. x. 191 Al þat holy eremytes hateden and despisede, As rychesses and reuerences. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xvi. 382 Whan they sawe the kyng they made him the reverence. 1521 Copland Introd. French 16 All bace daunces begyn by syngles or reuerence, and ende with braule. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 732 The French king made to him an humble reuerence, but after his fashion somewhat homely. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 13 They will with many new conges, ceremonies and reuerences, drinke to the health and prosperitie of Princes. 1655 Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 308 Att his thirde reuerence, as likewise att his taking leaue, Crom[well] did him the honor to embrace him ouer the shoulder. 1672 Marvell Reh. Transp. i. 85 As oft as he had occasion to bow, he directed his Reverence towards the Gentle-Womens Pew. 1726 Swift Gulliver ii. ii, [I] made my Reverence to my Master's Guest. 1775 F. Burney Early Diary (1889) II. 69, I now made a more formal reverence of the head. 1833 H. Martineau Vanderput & S. ix. 135 [He] had never seen his friend offer so low a reverence. 1853 Dale tr. Baldeschi's Cerem. 63 Having again genuflected while the Officiant makes the proper reverence. 1870 Disraeli Lothair iii, Lothair had had only time to make a reverence of ceremony before dinner. |
3. The condition or state of being respected or venerated.
| 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1243 To reche to such reuerence as ȝe reherce here I am wyȝe vn-worþy. c 1386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 116 If thou be poure, farwel thy reuerence. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 448 Yf twixt yow and youre men no difference Be in array, lesse is youre reuerence. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 7 Next her komythe hir suster callid Grace, Passing famos, and of grete reverence. 1533 Bellenden Livy i. viii. (S.T.S.) I. 47 To mak him in mare reuerence to þe pepill he cled him with riche & riall abilȝementis. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia (1895) 164 The sage grauitie and reuerence of the elders should kepe the yongers from wanton licence. 1606 G. W[oodcock] Hist. Ivstine xxxix. 124 To regester himselfe a sanctuary man, hoping the reuerence of the place..might preserue his life. 1700 Rowe Amb. Step-Moth. ii. ii, Nor shall thy Sword prophane With Brawls or Blood the Reverence of this Place. 1738 Hist. Crt. Excheq. iv. 66 One that had got Reverence amongst the People. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) II. 121 Two reigns..passed in external glory and domestic reverence. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. lxxxiv, All the train of bounteous hours Conduct by paths of growing powers, To reverence and the silver hair. |
† b. The solemnity of a Church festival. Obs.—1
| c 1470 Harding Chron. clxxii. iv, The Wendesdaye before Easters reuerence. |
† c. A reverend or venerable person. Obs. rare—1.
| a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Wit sev. Weapons ii. ii, Does he mean As he seems to say unto that reverence? He does woo her, sure. |
† 4. at (the) reverence of, out of respect for, in honour of, for the sake of (a person). Obs.
| c 1386 Chaucer Sec. Nun's T. 82 The wordes and sentence Of him, that at the seintes reuerence The storie wroot. 1411 Rolls of Parlt. III. 650/2 That at reverence of the Kyng..he will nothyng take of the forsayd Robert. 1425 Paston Lett. I. 21 The same John, atte reverence of your right worthy persone, hathe cesed of his sute. 1470–85 Malory Arthur xiii. i. 613* Thenne shalle he..receyue the hyghe ordre of knyght⁓hode as to morne atte reuerence of the hyghe feeste. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 519 The high and mighty prince Humfrey Duke of Gloucester, at the reuerence of God, and for the good of the king.., agreed him [etc.]. |
† b. In adjurations. Obs.
| c 1450 Merlin 114 By yow..am I come to this that I am atte, and therfore at the reuerense of god haue pite of me. 1515 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 212 Wherfore, at the reverence of God,..remember how we stand unto you. c 1530 Wolsey in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ii. II. 27 At the reverens of God take summe payne now for me, and forsake me nat. |
† c. Similarly in the reverence that, in (the) reverence of. Obs. rare.
| a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 10, I haue forborn flesshe on the Wednisday in the reverens that God was solde that day. Ibid., It is good to fast the Saterday for the loue of oure ladi, and in the reuerence of her virginite. 1628 Hobbes Thucydides (1822) 137 In reverence therefore of the hopes which the Grecians have reposed in you. |
5. † a. save (one's) reverence. An apologetic phrase introducing a criticism, contradiction, or some remark that might offend the hearer. Obs. (See also sir-, sur-reverence.)
| 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 179 Save reverence of seynt Aldelyn, þis semeþ non holynesse noþer wisdom. 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 38 In this matere Methynkith best were saf youre reverence That ye youreself to hym dede appere. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. i. iv. 42 Weele draw thee from the mire, Or, saue your reuerence, loue, wherein thou stickest Vp to the eares. 1596 Harington Metam. Ajax (1814) 61 Be it spoken with save the reverence of all women that are or were, save herself. |
† b. So saving (one's) reverence. Obs.
| c 1400 Mandeville (1839) xvii. 185 But aftre my lytylle wytt, it semethe me, savynge here reverence, that it is more. 1455 Rolls of Parlt. V. 281/1 Defaime, untruly (savyng youre reverence) leyed upon us. c 1563 Jack Juggler (Grosart) 67 Nay then wer I a knaue, misteris, sauing your reverence. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. ii. ii. 27 Who, sauing your reuerence, is the diuell himselfe. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 557 A Cave or hole within the ground, called, saving your reverence, The Deviles Arse. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. 275 Calling his Book Charta Cacata, which (saving reverence to the Reader) may be returned on the foul mouth of him who first uttered it. |
c. Similarly under the reverence of, and with reverence.
| 1533 Bellenden Livy iii. vii. (S.T.S.) I. 271 Forder vnder þe reuerence of Claudius & valerius, now deceissit, I say ȝe war enterit with victorius ensenȝeis in þe capitoll. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xi, Your Highness may know other craftsmen,..but, with reverence, you know not Henry Gow. |
6. your reverence. A respectful form of address, latterly only used by the lower classes, esp. in Ireland, in speaking to a clergyman.
| 1390 Gower Conf. I. 153 Thus with your hihe reverence Me thenketh that this evidence As to this point is sufficant. 1432–40 Paston Lett. III. 416 Ryght wursshipfull sire,..after dyw recommendacion to yowr reverens, please hit yow to know [etc.]. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, i. ii. 20 How many now in health Shall drop their blood, in approbation Of what your reuerence shall incite vs to. 1762 Sterne Tr. Shandy vi. vii, A soldier, an' please your reverence, said I, prays as often (of his own accord) as a parson. 1780 Cowper Progr. Err. 105 Will av'rice and concupiscence give place, Charm'd by the sounds—Your Rev'rence, or Your Grace? 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xxxii, ‘Very true, your Reverence,’ replied the beadle. 1853 Lytton My Novel i. vi, Lord bless your reverence! he does not mind it, he likes it. 1870 Dickens E. Drood ii, I have stayed for him, your Reverence. |
b. his reverence, as the designation of a clergyman. Also jocularly of a lady, her reverence.
| 1762 Sterne Tr. Shandy vi. xxv, Now that I can do this in spite of their reverences—the occasion is lost. 1802 Scott Let. in Lockhart (1837) I. x. 340 Returning Lady Juliana Berners, with my very best thanks for the use of her reverence's work. 1807 Crabbe Par. Reg. iii. 897 To a new style his reverence rashly took. 1859 Jephson Brittany xii. 212 A boat containing two Abbés was in the same predicament as we, and I could not believe that a Breton sailor would cheat their Reverences. 1881 Besant & Rice Chapl. of Fleet I. 91 His reverence will be found up and ready for good works. |
† 7. a. The study or consideration of something.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 136 Is Rethorique the science Appropred to the reverence Of wordes that ben resonable. |
† b. The opinion or judgement of some one.
| 1390 Gower Conf. I. 13 Bot in the worldes reverence Ther ben of suche manie glade, Whan thei to thilke astat ben made. |
8. in or out of (one's) reverence, in or out of one's power or hands. Also out of the reverence of, beyond dependence on (something). Sc. ? Obs.
| 1632 Lithgow Trav. iii. 87 Which Serpents..being all three rolling within the couerture of the dry sands, my right legge was almost in their reuerence before I remarked the danger. 1645 King's Cabinet Opened in Harl. Misc. (1746) VII. 515 A little more Wit..than to put myself into the Reverence of perfidious Rebels. 1677 Sir J. Lauder Decisions Suppl. (1826) III. 128 To put wrong out of his reverence, they do not allow him..to execute the law alone. 1821 Galt Legatees viii, Great reason have I to be thankful that the legacy has put me out of the reverence of my stipend. 1822 ― Sir A. Wylie v, When your birsies are up—I would na come in your reverence then for something. |
▪ II. reverence, v.
(ˈrɛvərəns)
Also 4–7 reuerence (4–6 -ense).
[f. prec. Cf. F. révérencier (16th c.), Sp. and Pg. reverenciar, It. riverenziare.]
† 1. trans. To salute (a person) with deep respect; to show respect for (one) by bowing, kneeling, etc.; to make obeisance to. Obs.
| 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 251 Þenn Arþour bifore þe hiȝ dece þat auenture byholdez, & rekenly hym reuerenced. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. x. 123 And þauh he mete with þe meyre amyddes þe strete, He reuerenceþ hym ryght nouht no raþer þan anoþer. 1530 Palsgr. 690/1, I reverence, or do obeyssaunce or honour to any other person, or make curtesye to him. a 1562 G. Cavendish Wolsey (1893) 166 He most humbly reverencyd hyme uppon his knee. 1607 Rowlands Guy of Warw. (Hunterian Cl.) 81 This said, in humble duty..Guy reverenceth the King, and so departs. 1686 tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 215 Shanavas-Can, when people approach'd near him, caus'd himself to be Reverenc'd the first time, like the King of Persia Himself. |
† b. To treat with respect or deference. Obs.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xiv. 206 And þe riche is reuerenced by resoun of his richchesse, Þere þe pore is put bihynde. 1388 Wyclif Baruch iv. 15 A folk..that reuerensiden not an eld man, nether hadden merci on children. 1587 Golding De Mornay ii. (1592) 18 Infinite trades which serue one another, the smaller reuerensing the greater. 1592 Greene Groat's W. Wit 8 How I haue bin reuerenst, thou seest, when honester men, I confesse, haue beene set farre off. |
† c. To esteem; to value highly. Obs.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xii. 260 Þus þe poete preues þat þe pecok for his fetheres is reuerenced. Ibid. xv. 502 And now is routhe to rede how þe red noble Is reuerenced or þe Rode. |
2. To regard with reverence or veneration as having a divine or sacred character; † to worship in some manner.
| a 1350 St. Thomas 211 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 23 He bad hym reuerence right A maumet þat þai cald ‘god of light’. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xx. 259 Euery maner good man may be lykned to a torche,..to reuerence with þe trinite. c 1400 Destr. Troy 4377 At Rome þai Reuerenst vppon riche wise One qwirion,..& qwemly did serue. 1530 Palsgr. 690/1 It is a joy to any good subject to se howe our prince reverenseth almygthy God. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. ii. x. 43 b, The temple of Neptune [was] greatly reuerenced. 1611 Bible Lev. xix. 30 Ye shall keepe my Sabbaths, and reuerence my Sanctuary. 1654 Bramhall Just Vind. i. (1661) 5 The famous Canon of the Generall Councel of Ephesus, which Gregory the Great reuerenced as one of the four Gospels. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N.T. Mark iv. 39 How greatly should he be reverenced and obeyed by man, whom..all Creatures must obey. 1820 Shelley Hymn Merc. lxiv, I reverence the divine Sun and the Gods. 1877 Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. i. i. 14 While they could feel no respect for the clergy as men, they feared their powers and reverenced their office. |
b. To hold in high respect or esteem; to venerate as being of an exalted or superior kind.
| 1548 Elyot s.v. Colo, To loue and reuerence one as it were his owne father. 1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions Pref. 12 Their successours so woundered at their wisedomes, and so reuerenced their loue and endeuours. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 18 The greatest part of Germany..reverence him as their chief ornament and refuge. 1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xv. xcix. 390 There is an Academie, which I reuerence so much. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxx. 185 When the Soveraign himselfe is Popular; that is reverenced and beloved of his People. 1725 Watts Logic (1726) 311 Some wise, great, or good Men, whose Authority we reverence and hardly dare oppose. 1784 Cowper Task v. 300 Such dupes are men to custom, and so prone To rev'rence what is ancient. 1822 Lamb Elia i. Praise Chimney⁓sweepers, I reverence these young Africans of our own growth—these almost clergy imps. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 452 Work was to be done, however, which could be trusted to no man who reverenced law. |
3. With over. To overpower with reverence. ? Obs.
| 1748 Richardson Clarissa IV. 141 The moment I beheld her, my heart was dastardiz'd, damp'd, and reverenced over. |
Hence ˈreverenced ppl. a.; ˈreverencing vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 136 b, The reuerencing of the eternall and onely God. Ibid. 260 To worship is to fall downe at ones feete with a reuerencing mynde. 1616 in Analecta Scotica II. 4 Accept it now with my richt humble and reuerencing dewtie. 1680 Otway Orphan iii, By the reverenc'd soul Of that great honest man that gave me being. 1703 Maundrell Journ. Jerus. (1721) 9 The only difficulty was how to get admission into so reverenc'd a place. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 4 Dec. 3/1 Take another of our so-called reverenced birds, the wren. |