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reverence

[rev-er-uh ns, rev-ruh ns]
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noun
  1. a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration.
  2. the outward manifestation of this feeling: to pay reverence.
  3. a gesture indicative of deep respect; an obeisance, bow, or curtsy.
  4. the state of being revered, or treated with respect tinged with awe.
  5. (initial capital letter) a title used in addressing or mentioning a member of the clergy (usually preceded by your or his).
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verb (used with object), rev·er·enced, rev·er·enc·ing.
  1. to regard or treat with reverence; venerate: One should reverence God and His laws.
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Origin of reverence

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin reverentia respect, fear, awe. See revere1, -ence
Related formsrev·er·enc·er, nounnon·rev·er·ence, nounself-rev·er·ence, nounun·rev·er·enced, adjective

Synonyms

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1. honor, esteem. 6. revere, honor, adore.

Antonyms

1. contempt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for self-reverence

Historical Examples

  • Self-reverence is the antipode of self-conceit, of selfishness.

    The Soul of a People

    H. Fielding

  • Be watchful and diligent, and busy thyself in the practice of “self-knowledge, self-reverence, self-control.”

  • No force in the country helps the Italian to that "self-reverence" the lack of which Mrs. Barrett Browning discerned in him.

    Rome

    Mildred Anna Rosalie Tuker

  • Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control,These three alone lead life to sovereign power.

    Youth and Sex

    Mary Scharlieb and F. Arthur Sibly

  • Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, the man should find in himself and display to his wife.

    'I Believe' and other essays

    Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull

British Dictionary definitions for self-reverence

reverence

noun
  1. a feeling or attitude of profound respect, usually reserved for the sacred or divine; devoted veneration
  2. an outward manifestation of this feeling, esp a bow or act of obeisance
  3. the state of being revered or commanding profound respect
  4. saving your reverence archaic a form of apology for using an obscene or taboo expression
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verb
  1. (tr) to revere or venerate
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Derived Formsreverencer, noun

Reverence

noun
  1. (preceded by Your or His) a title sometimes used to address or refer to a Roman Catholic priest
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for self-reverence

reverence

n.

late 13c., from Old French reverence "respect, awe," from Latin reverentia "awe, respect," from revereri "to stand in awe of, respect, honor, fear, be afraid of; revere," from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + vereri "stand in awe of, fear," from PIE *wer- "to be or become aware of, perceive, watch out for" (cf. Old English wær "aware, cautious;" see wary).

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reverence

v.

late 14c., "treat with respect, honor; venerate, pay pious homage to; esteem, value; bow to (someone); do honor to," from reverence (n.). Related: Reverenced; reverencing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper