— venerability, venerableness , n. — venerably , adv.
/ven"euhr euh beuhl/ , adj.
1. commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity; worthy of veneration or reverence, as because of high office or noble character: a venerable member of Congress.
2. a title for someone proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church to have attained the first degree of sanctity or of an Anglican archdeacon.
3. (of places, buildings, etc.) hallowed by religious, historic, or other lofty associations: the venerable halls of the abbey.
4. impressive or interesting because of age, antique appearance, etc.: a venerable oak tree.
5. extremely old or obsolete; ancient: a venerable automobile.
n.
6. a venerable person.
[ 1400-50; late ME venerabilis, equiv. to venera ( ri ) to VENERATE + -bilis -BLE ]