v.
Pronunciation: ri- ' vir
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: 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>.