adj. 1 entitled to veneration on account of character, age, associations, etc. (a venerable priest; venerable relics). 2 as the title of an archdeacon in the Church of England. 3 RC Ch. as the title of a deceased person who has attained a certain degree of sanctity but has not been fully beatified or canonized. venerability n. venerableness n. venerably adv.
[ ME f. OF venerable or L venerabilis (as VENERATE) ]