Etymology From Middle English reverence (noun) and reverencen (verb), from Old French reverence and Latin reverentia, from Latin revereor (“to stand in awe, respect, revere”), from re- + vereor, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to cover, heed, notice”).
1
Veneration; profound awe and respect, normally in a sacred context.
Professional hunters and trackers die too, in the pursuit of dangerous animals every year. Stones and his client voice reverence for what they call “fair chase”: an ethical distinction observed in certain sporting circles in which the quarry is felt to have a sporting chance of survival.2026 April 21, Cal Flyn, “On the trail with the hunters who believe shooting big game can save Africa’s wildlife”, in The Guardian:
2
An act of showing respect, such as a bow.
August 2, 1758, Oliver Goldsmith, A Letter from a Traveller Make twenty reverences upon receiving […] about twopence.
3
The state of being revered.
When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government is lost.1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Seditions and Troubles”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
4
A form of address for some members of the clergy.
Your Reverence
5
That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.
Thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me That I am forced to lay my reverence by.1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
Etymology From Middle English reverence (noun) and reverencen (verb), from Old French reverence and Latin reverentia, from Latin revereor (“to stand in awe, respect, revere”), from re- + vereor, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to cover, heed, notice”).
1
To show or feel reverence to.
I reverence every precept / And promise in Thy word2021, Bryan Fowler, Grayson Kessenich, Shane Barnard, “My Portion”, in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Vol. 1, performed by Shane & Shane: