Let . . . the wife see that she reverence her husband.Eph. v. 33.
Those that I reverence those I fear, the wise.Shak.
If thou be poor, farewell thy reverence.Chaucer.
Reverence, which is the synthesis of love and fear.Coleridge.
When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government islost.Bacon.
☞ Formerly, as in Chaucer, reverence denoted "respect" "honor", without awe or fear.
Make twenty reverences upon receiving . . . about twopence.Goldsmith.
And each of them doeth all his diligenceChaucer.
To do unto the feast reverence.
I am forced to lay my reverence by.Shak.
Such a one as a man may not speak of, without he say. "Sir reverence."Shak.
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Now lies he there,Shak.
And none so poor to do him reverence.
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.