Main Entry: ven·er·a·ble

Pronunciation: \ˈve-nər(-ə)-bəl, ˈven-rə-bəl\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : deserving to be venerated —used as a title for an Anglican archdeacon or for a Roman Catholic who has been accorded the lowest of three degrees of recognition for sanctity
2 : made sacred especially by religious or historical association
3 a : calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments <a venerable jazz musician>; broadly : conveying an impression of aged goodness and benevolence <encouraged by the venerable doctor's head-nodding> b : impressive by reason of age <under venerable pines>

synonyms see old

— ven·er·a·bil·i·ty \ˌve-nə-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌven-rə-\ noun

— ven·er·a·ble·ness \ˈve-nər(-ə)-bəl-nəs, ˈven-rə-\ noun

— ven·er·a·bly \-blē\ adverb