reverend
[rev-er-uh nd, rev-ruh nd]
- (initial capital letter) (used as a title of respect applied or prefixed to the name of a member of the clergy or a religious order): Reverend Timothy Cranshaw; Reverend Mother.
- worthy to be revered; entitled to reverence.
- pertaining to or characteristic of the clergy.
- Informal. a member of the clergy.
Origin of reverend
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin reverendus worthy of being revered, gerund of reverērī to revere1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for reverend
Contemporary Examples
For Paul, the thrill of breakfast with the Reverend, may be giving way to the taste of burnt toast.
This week the Church of England named the Reverend Libby Lane as its first female bishop.
Percy Heath, a merry fellow, specialized in leading the Reverend Professor Doctor astray and had a lot of fun with him.
As Sharpton now visited Tupac in prison, the rapper told him that his jailhouse friend was not a big fan of the reverend.
One of the heroes calls Christianity a 'fairy tale'—and one of the villains is a reverend.
Historical Examples
But every body else was there, so we did not miss these grave and reverend seigniors.
The Reverend Cecil had not the habit of shirking any duty because he happened to dislike it.
The Incomplete AmoristE. Nesbit
"I hope I shall have strength given me to do my duty," said the Reverend Cecil.
The Incomplete AmoristE. Nesbit
The Reverend Farouche, therefore, holds a secret conference with her father.
The Book of KhalidAmeen Rihani
It was his fellow-curate, the Reverend Golightly, who was still waiting to deliver his message.
The ChristianHall Caine
reverend
- worthy of reverence
- relating to or designating a clergyman or the clergy
- informal a clergyman
Word Origin
C15: from Latin reverendus fit to be revered; see revere
Reverend
- a title of respect for a clergymanAbbreviations: Rev., Revd See also Very Reverend, Right Reverend, Most Reverend
usage
Reverend with a surname alone (Reverend Smith), as a term of address (``Yes, Reverend''), or in the salutation of a letter (Dear Rev. Mr Smith) are all generally considered to be wrong usage. Preferred are (the) Reverend John Smith or Reverend Mr Smith and Dear Mr Smith
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for reverend
adj.
early 15c., "worthy of respect," from Middle French reverend, from Latin reverendus "(he who is) to be respected," gerundive of revereri (see reverence). As a form of address for clergymen, it is attested from late 15c.; earlier reverent (late 14c. in this sense). Abbreviation Rev. is attested from 1721, earlier Revd. (1690s). Very Reverend is used of deans, Right Reverend of bishops, Most Reverend of archbishops.
n.
"clergyman," c.1500, from reverend (adj.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper