commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity; worthy of veneration or reverence, as because of high office or noble character: a venerable member of Congress.
a title for someone proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church to have attained the first degree of sanctity or of an Anglican archdeacon.
(of places, buildings, etc.) hallowed by religious, historic, or other lofty associations: the venerable halls of the abbey.
impressive or interesting because of age, antique appearance, etc.: a venerable oak tree.
extremely old or obsolete; ancient: a venerable automobile.
noun
a venerable person.
Origin of venerable
1400–50;late Middle English < Latinvenerābilis, equivalent to venerā(rī) to venerate + -bilis-ble
Related formsven·er·a·bil·i·ty, ven·er·a·ble·ness, nounven·er·a·bly, adverbqua·si-ven·er·a·ble, adjectivequa·si-ven·er·a·bly, adverbun·ven·er·a·bil·i·ty, nounun·ven·er·a·ble, adjectiveun·ven·er·a·ble·ness, nounun·ven·er·a·bly, adverbCan be confusedvenerablevulnerable
(esp of a person) worthy of reverence on account of great age, religious associations, character, position, etc
(of inanimate objects) hallowed or impressive on account of historical or religious association
ancientvenerable tomes
RC Churcha title bestowed on a deceased person when the first stage of his canonization has been accomplished and his holiness has been recognized in a decree of the official Church
early 15c., from Latin venerabilis, from venerari "to worship, revere" (see veneration). As a title, used in reference to ecclesiastics or those who had obtained the first degree of canonization.
