/ ˈvenəreɪt; NAmE / verb
[ vn ] venerate sb/sth (as sth) ( formal ) to have and show a lot of respect for sb/sth, especially sb/sth that is considered to be holy or very important
SYN revere
► ven·er·ation / ˌvenəˈreɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
The relics were objects of veneration.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (earlier ( Middle English ) as veneration ): from Latin venerat- adored, revered, from the verb venerari .