Main Entry: ¹re·vere

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈvir\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): re·vered; re·ver·ing

Etymology: Latin revereri, from re- + vereri to fear, respect — more at wary

Date: 1615

: to show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor <revere the aged> <revere tradition>

synonyms revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling <a professor revered by her students>. reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring <reverenced the academy's code of honor>. venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age <heroes still venerated>. worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony <worships their memory>. adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment <we adored our doctor>.