adj. & n.
adj. (esp. as the title of a clergyman) deserving reverence.
n. colloq. a clergyman. Most Reverend the title of an archbishop or an Irish Roman Catholic bishop. Reverend Mother the title of the Mother Superior of a convent. Right Reverend the title of a bishop. Very Reverend the title of a dean etc.
[ ME f. OF reverend or L reverendus gerundive of revereri: see REVERE ]