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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