n. [ F. révérence, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

If thou be poor, farewell thy reverence. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reverence, which is the synthesis of love and fear. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government islost. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Formerly, as in Chaucer, reverence denoted “respect” “honor”, without awe or fear. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of revering; a token of respect or veneration; an obeisance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Make twenty reverences upon receiving . . . about twopence. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

And each of them doeth all his diligence
To do unto the feast reverence. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am forced to lay my reverence by. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ] Such a one as a man may not speak of, without he say. “Sir reverence.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] --
To do reverence, to show reverence or honor; to perform an act of reverence. [ 1913 Webster ] Now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let . . . the wife see that she reverence her husband. Eph. v. 33. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those that I reverence those I fear, the wise. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who regards with reverence. “Reverencers of crowned heads.” Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]