reverendadj.n.

Brit.

/ˈrɛv(ə)rənd/,

/ˈrɛv(ə)rn̩d/, U.S.

/ˈrɛvərn̩d/,

/ˈrɛv(ə)rənd/

Forms: late Middle English reuerande (northern), late Middle English–1500s reuerende, late Middle English–1500s reverende, late Middle English–1600s reuerend, late Middle English– reverend, 1600s revrend, 1600s– rev'rend; Scottish pre-1700 reuerand, pre-1700 reuerend, pre-1700 reuerende, pre-1700 rewarend, pre-1700 rewerane, pre-1700 1700s– reverend; also U.S. regional 1800s riverind, 1900s– rev'un, 1900s– reb'm, 1900s– reb'ren', 1900s– revyun, 1900s– reverent (in sense B. 1), 1900s– rev-runt (in sense B. 1).

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French reverend; Latin reverendus.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French reverend (French révérend ) (especially of a person) worthy of great respect (13th cent. in Old French; frequently as honorific epithet, especially of a bishop or other senior cleric, esp. in reverend pere , literally ‘reverend father’), respectful (1538) and its etymon < classical Latin reverendus deserving of respect, venerable, in post-classical Latin frequently in respectful forms of address (5th cent.), use as adjective of gerundive of reverērī revere v. Compare Catalan reverend (14th cent.), Spanish reverendo (late 14th cent.), Portuguese reverendo (14th cent.), Italian reverendo (a1535). In sense A. 4 probably by association with reverent adj.; the extent of the semantic overlap between the two words suggests that they were not clearly distinguished in early use.With most reverend, very reverend compare post-classical Latin reverendissimus, title (from 8th cent. (frequently from 12th cent.) in British sources).

A. adj.

a. As a respectful epithet applied to members of the clergy (or occasionally of a religious order): worthy of great respect; to be treated with due reverence. In early use frequently with most, right.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > quality of inspiring reverence > [adjective] > as epithet of ecclesiastics

venerable1437

reverend1509

1389 in W. Fraser Memorials Family Wemyss (1888) II. 24 The selys of reuerand faddrys into Crist.

1448 in S. A. Moore Lett. & Papers J. Shillingford (1871) 39 (MED) Please hit yn to youre..Lordship..to write unto the right reverend fader yn God..Edmund Bysshop of the Cathedrall churche of Excetre.

1461–2 Rolls of Parl.: Edward IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1461 §16. m. 10 The tenauntes..came unto his highnes, complaynyng upon the seid reverend fadre.

1483 W. Caxton in tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. ccxij/2 The reuerend fader in god Stephen Archebisshop of caunterburye Rychard bisshop of salisbury Waltere the pryour of the same wyth the couent wyth spyrytual songe.

1485 in J. Stuart & G. Burnett Exchequer Rolls Scotl. (1886) IX. 645 (note) A maist reverend and reverend faderis in God William Archibischop of Sanctandrois, Robert bischope of Glasgw [etc.].

1491–2 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VII (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1491 §15. m. 7 Graunted unto him by the right reverend fadre in God, Maister Piers Courteney, som tyme bisshope of Excestre.

1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Aiv ^v In the handes of the reuerende fader my lorde of London.

1517 R. Fox tr. St. Benedict Rule sig. G.vii^v (colophon) Inprinted (by the commaundement of the reuerend fader in god Richard Bishope of winchester) by me Rycharde Pynson printer vnto the Kynges noble grace.

1548 (title) A notable Sermon of y^e reuerende father Maister Hughe Latemer, whiche he preached in y^e Shrouds at paules churche in London.

1588 ‘M. Marprelate’ Oh read ouer D. Iohn Bridges: Epist. 4 Take heed brethren of your reuerend and learned brother Martin Marprelate.

1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iv. ii. 18 The reuerend Abbot With all his Couent, honourably receiu'd him.

1653 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 330 The Death of our Reverend and Godlie Minister M^r. John Connant.

1722 B. Franklin in New-Eng. Courant 2 Apr. 6 Before I had liv'd quite two Years with this Reverend Gentleman, my indulgent Mother departed this Life.

1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 371 And thence, with all convenient speed, to Rome, With rev'rend tutor, clad in habit lay.

1835 I. Taylor Spiritual Despotism v. 218 These bishops and reverend Fathers removed only by two hundred years from the Apostolic age.

1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. ii. 36 In their train there is a reverend friar.

1895 T. Hardy Jude ii. ii There remained the schoolmaster—probably now a reverend parson.

1927 Abp. R. Davidson Addr. Convoc. 29 Mar. in Church Times 1 Apr. 392/1 Right Reverend and Reverend Brothers in the Sacred Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

1954 W. Lewis Self Condemned xi. 182 The platitudinous drone of the reverend gentleman in the god-business.

1991 B. Bandele-Thomas Man who came in from Back of Beyond (1992) ii. 36 [He] occasionally allowed his fertile imagination to run away with him and confessed to the reverend father that he committed adultery.

b. Used in addressing a member of the clergy (or occasionally a member of a religious order).

ΚΠ

1428 in R. T. Storey Reg. T. Langley (1959) 104 (MED) Ful worshipfull lord and reverend fader in God, I your poore bedewoman and doghter in Criste recommande me lawely to your gracious lordship.

1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope vi. f. cxl Ryght reuerende fader ye ought wel to knowe that [etc.].

1549 Forme & Maner consecratyng Archebishoppes sig. A.iii Reuerend father in God, I present vnto you, these persones present.

1568 Mary Queen of Scots Let. 18 Jan. in Facsimiles National MSS Scotl. (1871) III. lviii Reuerend fader and traist cousigne and counsalour, we greit yow weill.

1649 J. Allington Brief Apol. Sequestred Clergie 1 Reverend Sir, This addresse may seem very strange.

1713 J. Swift To Earl of Oxford 121 Said Harley: Welcome, Rev'rend Dean.

1781 W. Cowper Anti-Thelypthora 132 Forms or no forms, pluralities or pairs, Right reverend Sirs! was no concern of theirs.

1820 W. Scott Monastery II. iii. 90 ‘And O, reverend sir,’ said the good widow, detaining him.

1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood xvii. 137 ‘And how did you leave Mr. Jasper, reverend sir?’ said Mr. Grewgious.

1931 E. Sutton tr. W. Eidlitz Zodiak i. 45 Why, reverend sir, did you not become a Patriarch or at least an Archimandrite?

2001 T. Pratchett Thief of Time 129 I want permission to track this one down right now, Reverend Sir!

c. Chiefly with the. Used before a name as a title of a member of the clergy.In British English and varieties closely associated with it, the use of Reverend directly before a surname (without a forename, initial, or other title, as Doctor, Professor, etc.) and without the has typically been considered unacceptable, although examples of this kind are increasingly common throughout the 20th cent. In American English, this style is widely and uncontroversially attested from at least the 19th cent.

(a) Originally used as an honorific designation for a particularly renowned and respected member of the clergy, esp. a divine or theologian. From the 18th cent., and now usually, used as the title of an ordained minister, esp. in the Anglican communion. See also Rev. adj., Revd adj.

ΚΠ

1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 296 The reuerend M. Doctor Heskins..inthronized in his Doctours chayer.

1606 W. Crashaw Falsificationum Romanarum To Rdr. D 4 b The reuerend Master Iohn Ferus..did in Sermon-wise explane the bookes of Iob vnto the Citizens.

1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. xi. 293 That wofull and unhappy discord betwixt him and reverend Bishop Hooper.

1650 Bp. J. Hall Revelation Unrevealed iii. 33 Reverend Calvin..is willing to construe this of the last desolation of the Jewes.

1657 J. Trapp Comm. Job ix. 9 But I had rather (saith Reverend Mr. Beza) retain still the Hebrew words.

1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi iv. ii. iv. 182/2 The Reverend Charles Chancey..opposed the Synodalian Principles.

1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 218 The Reverend D^r Atterbury was made Dean of X^t Church on this day sennight.

1784 J. Barnard Life R. Challoner xxi. 139 He exhorted and encouraged the Reverend Mr. William Errington, to establish a School for the Education of Boys upon the same Principle.

1801 E. Pendleton Let. 30 July in Lett. & Papers (1967) II. 694 The Reverend Mr. Abner Waugh, a Minister of the Episcopal Church.

1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. ii. ii. 133 Such, mentally, morally, and physically, was the Reverend Charles Merton.

1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles II. xxv. 53 The Reverend Felix..home for the inside of a fortnight.

1923 A. Huxley Antic Hay i. 4 The Reverend Pelvey, M.A., foghorning away from behind the imperial bird.

1970 P. Berton National Dream iv. ii. 161 A short time later, he ran into the Reverend Dr. Grant.

1987 T. Wolfe Bonfire of Vanities vi. 133 He looked at Reverend Bacon's fingers as they did their paradiddle on the desk.

2003 Church Times 30 May 19/3 The Reverend Stephen Griffith the Apokrisarios of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Anglican Chaplain in the Caucasus.

(b) With distinguishing adverb as the title of a senior member of the clergy, as Most Reverend, Right Reverend, Very Reverend.The terms are variously applied to senior clergy from a range of Christian denominations, but especially in the Anglican communion and in the Roman Catholic Church. In the Anglican communion, Most Reverend designates an archbishop, Right Reverend a bishop, and Very Reverend a dean. In the Roman Catholic Church, a bishop is designated Most Reverend in Ireland, but Right Reverend in the United Kingdom. See also sense B.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > archbishop > [adjective]

archiepiscopal1611

archprelatic1647

Most Reverend1681

archprelatical1882

society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > bishop > [noun]

bishopc897

patriarcheOE

bispa1300

ordinarya1325

ordinar?1403

father1418

discretion1421

pontificalc1440

diocesanc1450

rocheter1559

monseigneur1561

pope1563

bite-sheep1570

presul1577

rochet1581

diocesser1606

lawn sleevesc1640

episcopant1641

Right Reverend1681

diocesian1686

lawn-man1795

diocesiarch1805

bish1875

shire-bishop1880

1681 R. Boyle Let. 9 Apr. in Corr. (2001) V. 251 The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Meath & some other worthy Persons in your Parts.

1714 R. Steele Romish Eccles. Hist. 73 The most Reverend P. Fr. Tomasso Ripoll, Provincial of the Holy Land, and Postulator of the Canonization of Pius.

1767 A. Bedingfield Short Acct. Life Mary of Holy Cross p. xviii He repeated this Charge..to his Coadjutor and Successor, the Right Reverend Benjamin Petre, titular Bishop of Prusa.

1893 Catholic Dict. (new ed.) 590/1 The Very Reverend Father Colin died..at the age of eighty-five.

1906 Official Catholic Directory 75 Archdiocese of Milwaukee... Most Reverend Sebastian Gebhard Messmer, D.D., D.C.L., Archbishop of Milwaukee.

1985 Globe & Mail (Totonto) (Nexis) 29 Aug. Lewis, of course, is Most Reverend Lewis Garnsworthy, Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. Clarke is Very Reverend Clarke MacDonald, past moderator of the United Church of Canada.

1992 G. Hancock Sign & Seal iii. viii. 194 The information that precipitated my return [to Ethiopia] was provided to me by the Very Reverend Liqa Berhanat Solomon Gabre Selassie.

2004 Essex Chron. (Nexis) 8 July 17 The new Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend John Gladwin, was among the guest speakers.

2. Of a person: worthy of being treated with deep respect or held in high esteem on account of age, character, status, ability, etc.; venerable.

†a. As a courteous or respectful form of address. In early use frequently with intensifier, as right, most. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [adjective]

goodeOE

liefc897

sweeta1225

beauc1300

gentlec1330

comelya1375

faira1375

reverentc1410

reverend1422

virtuous?1473

singular1485

lucky1568

respectable1749

1422 in H. M. Flasdieck Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1926) 61 (MED) Ryght worchepeful and reuerend Maystres, j recommaunde me to ȝow.

1447 in S. A. Moore Lett. & Papers J. Shillingford (1871) i. 33 (MED) My right reverend, trusty, and singular maister..my lord..thanketh your kyndenesse.

1486 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 54 Most reverend, rightwose regent of this rigalitie.

1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 192 O reuerend Chaucere, rose of rethoris all.

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 223 Por. I pray you let me looke vpon the bond. Shy. Heere tis most reuerend doctor, here it is.

1634 T. Heywood Mayden-head well Lost i. i. sig. B4 Yet Reuerend Madame, but forget what's past.

a1668 W. Davenant Poems in Wks. (1673) 335 O rev'rend Death! whose looks can soon advise Even scornfull Youth.

1716 J. Addison Drummer v. 45 Coachman [to a conjurer], ‘I have brought you, Reverend Sir, the largest Elbow Chair in the House.’

1832 W. Irving Alhambra II. 71 ‘What mean you, most reverend owl?’ said Ahmed.

1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee vi. 76 Name any terms, reverend sir, even to the halving of my kingdom; but banish this calamity, spare the sun!

b. gen. Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > quality of inspiring reverence > [adjective]

reverentc1410

reverendc1440

reverentiala1631

veneral1631

venerable1641

reverable1675

canonizable1913

c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan Epist. of Othea (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 91 Þe ful & perfitȝ felicite is þat þe whiche makiþ man sufficiently myȝti, reuerende, solempne & ioyeux.

c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 240 He haue þee in open siȝt and presentli to dwelle wiþ þee, being and knowun to be so worþi, so reuerend, and so good.

J. Metham Amoryus & Cleopes (1916) 2179 Enterly me comende to my lord..And to hys ryght reuerend lady.

1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. bii He is the riallest roy reuerend and rike.

1558 W. Warde (title) The Secretes of the reverende Maister Alexis of Piemovnt. Containyng excellente remedies against diuers diseases,..with the manner to make distillations,..fusions and meltynges.

1598 B. Yong tr. A. Pérez 2nd Pt. Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 221 I, with a yoong and courteous Shepherd; he, with an old and reuerend Shepherdesse.

1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 96 It is already in vse by diuers reuerend Phisitions.

1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 23 in Justa Edouardo King Next Chamus (reverend sire) went footing slow.

1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub x. 184 To the Reverend the Judges: To the Clergy, and Gentry.

1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. ix. 517 If Heav'n restore me to my Realms with Life, The rev'rend Peleus shall elect my Wife.

1786 R. Burns Poems 56 I've heard my rev'rend Graunie say [etc.].

1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms iv. 604 He takes His reverend mother on his filial breast.

1885 J. Payn Talk of Town I. 47 Wise and reverend signors may well have learnt by experience to take trifling annoyances with equanimity.

1926 A. MacLeish Let. 29 Dec. (1983) 192 May be true, as reverend and sagacious little Mr. Cocteau says, that to epauler gracefully doesn't make good shooting.

1972 G. M. Brown Greenvoe (1976) iv. 113 The last doubter in the jury bowed his head in complete acquiescence as the reverend lawman gathered his black cloak about him and sat down at last.

a. Of a thing, place, etc.: worthy of, or inspiring, reverence. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > quality of inspiring reverence > [adjective] > of things, places, or qualities

reverent?c1400

reverendc1443

venerand1549

sacred1560

venerable1601

reverentiala1631

numinous1647

c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 478 (MED) Eiþer of þe contemplatijf lijfis is an occupacioun vsid aboute a reuerendir and bettir mater and wiþ a better deede to gider taken..þan is his actijf lijf to hym answering.

1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. C4 The reuerend Maiesty of Emperours, Kinges and Princes.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. viii. sig. H2 His reuerend heares and holy grauitee The knight much honord.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage iii. viii. 282 He conquered Nice, the name whereof is reuerend for the first generall Councell of Christendome.

1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 18 Yet next to that, what can be..a greater violence to the reverend secret of nature.

1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iv. xix. 360 The Tenet has had the attestation of reverend Antiquity.

a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 673 So much more Reverend is Suffering, than making Men suffer for Religion.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. xxxvii. 264 The big tears..straying down his reverend cheeks.

1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. iii. 209 Its dark oaken pannelling, all reverend with the gloom of departed years, seemed to fit it for..solemn meditation.

1846 J. Keble Lyra Innocentium 119 Write in young hearts Thy reverend lore.

1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 226 No day but pilgrim..flings crutch away, Or else appends it to the reverend heap Beneath you.

1912 R. Hughes Old Nest iii. ii. 137 In front of her window grew a tree—a grave and reverend tree.

1998 A. R. Jones & M. F. Rosenthal tr. V. Franco Poems & Sel. Lett. 263 In a higher place distinguished from others such reverend images have their seat.

b. Sacred, hallowed, holy.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > aspects of faith > holiness > [adjective]

hallowedc900

holyc1000

blessedc1200

blissfula1225

seelya1225

yblessed1297

sacred13..

saint1377

devoutc1380

divinec1380

consecratec1386

dedicatec1386

benedighta1400

happyc1405

sillya1450

sacrate?a1475

sanctificatec1485

sacrificed?1504

sacrea1535

religious1549

vowed1585

anointed1595

devote1597

devoted1597

consecrated1599

sacrosanct1601

sanctimonious1604

sanctified1607

dedicated1609

divined1624

sacrosanctious1629

reverend1631

celebrate1632

divinified1633

sacrosanctified1693

sanctimonial1721

sacramental1851

divinized1852

sacral1882

sanct1890

sanctifiable1894

sacramented1914

hierophanic1927

kramat1947

sacralized1979

1631 E. Howes Stow's Ann. 999/1 Diuers Church-yards new layd apart, dedicated for reuerend places to bury the dead.

1693 T. Creech tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires xiii. 265 Bold Sacriledge..destroys a Shrine, The Reverend Goblets, and the ancient Plate.

1717 in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Metamorphoses x. 342 From thence Cerastae call'd; an impious Race: Before whose Gates a rev'rend Altar stood, To Jove inscrib'd, the hospitable God.

a1775 E. Lovibond Poems Several Occasions (1785) 196 It's giant arms extending to defend Thy reverend temples.

1839 Knickerbocker Sept. 267 There is another reverend church here, having curious monuments, and standing modestly apart, in Leadenhall-street.

1895 Monthly Musical Rec. Oct. 217/1 There is no reason to suppose that the consequences will be fatal, or even in any large degree harmful, to the audiences that thronged the Shire Hall and the reverend cathedral.

1929 L. W. Reese Victorian Village 3 I..watch the men and women of the parish trim the reverend building for the oncoming festival of Christmas.

1991 W. L. Wakefield & A. P. Evans tr. J. Capelli in Heresies of High Middle Ages 302 The persistent babbling of the heretics impugns this reverend sacrament with poisonous phrases.

4. = reverent adj. 1. Now rare.Common in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > [adjective]

worshipful1357

reverenta1382

reverend1449

reverencing1573

reverentiala1575

venerate1592

venerable1613

revering1639

venerating1663

venerant1846

venerational1854

venerative1860

J. Metham Amoryus & Cleopes (1916) 295 (MED) I, on the most reuerend wyse, A blake bole in the yle of Delfos [perh. read Delos] schal to the sacrifyse.

a1450 York Plays (1885) 293 (MED) All renkkis þat are renand to vs schall be reuerande.

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. i. f. 1 The reverende and thanckefull antiquite was accustomed to esteme those men as goddes.

1568 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 76 Inclyne befoir þe cristin conquerour,..With reuerend feir doun on ȝour facis ly.

1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 116 There is in him singular honestie,..passing liberalitie towardes straungers, and plentie of reuerend behauiour.

1615 W. Hull Mirrour of Majestie 33 The minde beholdeth God with..ioy of heart, and reuerend admiration.

1686 R. Parr Life J. Usher 85 From whence you may observe the reverend esteem he had for our Liturgy.

1756 S. Angier Polite Mod. Divine 40 A reverend Gesture and Tone of Voice.

1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 169 ‘Ay, ay, we'se ha' reverend care on thee..,’ answered the man of constituted authority.

1855 J. A. Froude in Oxf. Ess. 54 When nature shall be studied in a more reverend spirit.

1874 E. B. Pusey Lenten Serm. 90 That reverend awe, amid which by God's grace we are..to work out our own salvation.

1909 Harvard Graduates' Mag. June 775/2 It was the custom of the press then to treat the affairs of Harvard College in a grave and reverend manner.

1994 J. Dent-Young & A. Dent-Young tr. Shi Nai'an & Luo Guanzhong Broken Seals (2002) vi. 143 The Scripture Halls have a dignified and reverend air.

5. Of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [adjective]

rulerc1390

reverent1398

ruly?c1450

ecclesiasticala1538

ministerial1561

clerical1592

ecclesiastic1603

cleric1623

reverend1625

clergical1632

clergya1635

hieratical1656

churchmanlike1786

shovel-hatted1832

churchmanly1833

hieratic1866

1625 T. Middleton Game at Chæss v. sig. I3 (stage direct.) Enter White Q[ueen's]. p[awn]. and the Blacke B[ishop's]. p[awn]. the Iesuit in his reuerend Habit meeting them.

1645 J. Milton Tetrachordon 59 As there is nothing more violent and boistrous then a reverend ignorance in fear to be convicted.

1742 (title) Ecclesiastical Transactions; or a Collection of Reverend Jokes.

1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random lxii This was a man in years, who wore a reverend periwig.

1842 E. B. Barrett in Athenaeum 5 Mar. 210/2 So that reverend brows grew dark to hear women with musical voices sing them softly.

1872 Harper's Mag. Dec. 135/2 As the ceremony vanishes, and the reverend robes disappear, leaving the man below, he must be a man who stands firmly and squarely upon his feet.

1945 F. B. Lennon Victoria through Looking-glass x. 185 Meditating on the uncommitted crime for which he is incarcerated in Oxford, in his reverend collar and high hat.

6. U.S. colloquial and regional. Strong, powerful; (also) full strength, undiluted, ‘neat’. Cf. reverent adj. 5.Recorded earliest in reverend set n. at Compounds.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > power > [adjective]

mightyeOE

craftyeOE

richeOE

strongeOE

wieldeOE

mainstrongOE

mightOE

keena1000

mightfullOE

mainfulc1225

reighc1225

starkc1275

boldc1300

fort13..

mightandc1350

strengthya1382

mightifula1400

bigc1400

powerfulc1450

puissant?c1450

mananta1500

mighteousa1500

potenta1500

potential?c1500

vailing1508

forcible1555

potentate1556

swingeing1567

powerable1580

strong-handed1598

strengthful1604

hogen mogen1648

powerlike1657

pollent1660

hogana1672

swayful1767

reverend1826

oomphy1955

kick-ass1977

1826 T. Flint Recoll. Last Ten Years 15 A firm push of the iron-pointed pole on a fixed log, is termed a ‘reverend’ set.

1837 A. Wetmore et al. Gazetteer Missouri 336 ‘Muster courage to take..a tablespoonful, three times a day.’—‘Jist reverend, without water, doctor?’

1888 ‘C. E. Craddock’ Despot Broomsedge Cove 467 I thunk the reverend stuff would fetch ye.

1936 Amer. Speech 11 317/1 Do you want this here castor oil reverend, or shall I mix some sody-pop in it?

1982 S. McCool Sam McCool's New Pittsburghese 29 You can tell he hasn't bathed for days by the reverend odor.

B. n. colloquial.

1. A member of the clergy; (also occasionally) a member of a religious order, a preacher, etc.Also with Most, Right, Very: see sense A. 1c(b).

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [noun]

God's maneOE

priestOE

clerkc1050

secularc1290

vicary1303

minister1340

divinec1380

man of Godc1384

kirkmana1400

man of the churchc1400

cockc1405

Ecclesiastc1405

spiritual1441

ministrator1450

abbé1530

reverend1547

churchman1549

tippet-captain?1550

tippet knight1551

tippet man1551

public minister1564

reading minister1572

clergyman1577

clerk1577

padre1584

minstrel1586

spiritual1600

cleric1623

cassock1628

Levite1640

gownsman1641

teaching elder1642

ecclesiastic1651

religionist1651

crape1682

crape-gown-man1682

man in black1692

soul driver1699

secularist1716

autem jet1737

liturge1737

officiant1740

snub-devil1785

soul doctor1785

officiator1801

umfundisi1825

crape-man1826

clerical1837

God-man1842

Pfarrer1844

liturgist1848

white-choker1851

rook1859

shovel hat1859

sky pilot1865

ecclesiastical1883

joss-pidgin-man1886

josser1887

sin-shiftera1912

sin-buster1931

parch1944

1547 tr. A. de Marcourt Bk. Marchauntes (new ed.) sig. f.ii^v In a certain place of Fraunc called Beaunoys is a lytell abbay.., where as the reuerends ther do shewe a tothe whyche as they say is one of S. Christophres.

1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 121 Much more Than the Right Reverend whom they taxt before.

1663 E. Waterhouse Fortescutus Illustratus xxii. 298 God gives them up to fear sordidly, and deny the truth shamefully, as those Carpet and Out-side Reverends did.., who were zealous Protestants in King Edward's, and as zealous Papists in Queen Mary's dayes.

1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. iii. 69 Let us recommend it to our Most Reverend, and Right Reverend, to put our own Ecclesiastick Affairs into such a good Posture [etc.].

a1776 D. Hume My Own Life in Hist. Eng. (1778) I. p. x Answers by Reverends, and Right Reverends, came out two or three in a year.

1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xvi. 206 Those who had not attained to military honours were either doctors, professors, or reverends.

1848 C. Dickens Dombey & Son lvii. 571 The nuptial benediction is to be a superior one, proceeding from a very reverend, a dean.

1859 O. L. Jackson Colonel's Diary (1922) ii. 8 I..heard a very good sermon—from a Reverend from Pittsburgh.

1894 R. D. Blackmore Perlycross I. iii. 33 We are not so meddlesome as you Reverends are.

1908 S. Ford Odd Numbers (1912) xviii. 283 You ain't got just the style for a right reverend, that's a fact.

1943 G. Greene Ministry of Fear iii. ii. 191 That [car], sir—that's the reverend's... We thought it only right to let the vicar know.

1976 J. McNeish Glass Zoo vii. 71 Funny, that cloak of yours. I know a Reverend in Leeds got about like that.

2005 A. Smith Accidental 158 He has read, unseeing, so many times in the last couple of weeks, the plaques on the walls dedicated to the dead reverends.

2. Used as a form of address to a member of the clergy.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [noun] > address or title of

his reverencea1438

your reverence?a1440

fathershipa1500

dompnea1536

domine1566

reverendship1609

Revd1670

rookship1710

brother1741

venerability1843

Pfarrer1844

Rev.1862

reverend1869

1869 G. J. Chester Transatlantic Sketches vii. 87 A clergyman is always a ‘Reverend’, and in conversation even between clergy themselves you hear, ‘Yes, Reverend’, and ‘No, Reverend’, continually repeated ad nauseam.

1960 H. Lee To kill Mockingbird xii. 133 Why can't she take 'em with her, Reverend?

1967 C. Armstrong in Ellery Queen's Mystery Mag. July 11/1 What you'd better do, Reverend, is go over to the motel and rest.

1974 J. Wainwright Hard Hit 8 ‘I dunno you, reverend. I think you're making some sorta...’ ‘Mistake?’

2006 D. Arnoult Sufficient Grace 100 ‘Excuse me, Reverend’, Mama Toot says.

Compounds

Reverend Mother n. (also with lower-case initials) a female head or superior of a religious community, esp. a Mother Superior (frequently as a title or form of address).

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > conventual head > [noun] > female

presidentress1650

Reverend Mother1658

superioress1669

provostess1871

Mother Superior1907

Mother Vicaress1930

Mother Prioress1961

Sister Superior1991

1658 ‘F. G.’ in A. Baker More's Spiritval Exercises Ep. Ded. 3 The R. Mother Bridgit More of Saint Peter and Saint Paul most worthy Prioresse of the English Benedictin Nunns of our Lady of Hope in Paris. Reverend Mother, This deuout Book comes to you..[etc.].

c1667 G. Blakhal Breiffe Narr. Services Done Three Noble Ladyes (1844) iii. 194 She would go the next Tuysday herself to the Filles St. Marie,..and aggree with the reverend mother, Louis Eugenie, superieure of that house.

1701 W. Fuller Trip Hamshire & Flanders 24 The next morning the Earl pay'd a Visit to the Reverend Mother, and other Nuns at the English Convent.

1847 E. F. S. Harris From Oxf. to Rome vii. 251 But, Reverend Mother, is Sister Mary Beatrice ill?

1907 Irish Monthly Apr. 223 It was now the reign of a new Reverend Mother.

2006 Contra Costa (Calif.) Times (Nexis) 2 Dec. f4 The all-too-unworldly mother superior, Reverend Mother Mary Regina.

reverend set n. U.S. slang (now rare) a powerful push with a long pole used to set a boat in motion or move it through difficult waters.

ΚΠ

1826‘Reverend’ set [see sense A. 6].

1833 J. K. Paulding Banks of Ohio I. 145 They placed their shoulders against the long poles, one end of which was loaded with iron, and making what was called a ‘reverend set’, walked steadily to the stern of the broad-horn, propelling her forward at the same time.

1901 W. H. Venable Dream of Empire 115 Push off, there, boys! Get your poles in hand and give her a reverend set!

Derivatives

ˈreverend-ˌlike adj.

ΚΠ

1750 Student 1 No. 3. 83 The person was introduced, being an old reverend-like man, with a long beard and ordinary grey cloaths.

1866 James Meetwell I. ii. 36 His grey, silvery locks, so nicely combed down, gave him quite a respectable and reverend-like appearance.

1996 Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch (Nexis) 7 May c1 It's advice that Jamison, the son and grandson of Baptist ministers, mixes with his academic and corporate background to guide others in a reverend-like style.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	reverend
释义	reverendadj.n. Brit. /ˈrɛv(ə)rənd/, /ˈrɛv(ə)rn̩d/, U.S. /ˈrɛvərn̩d/, /ˈrɛv(ə)rənd/ Forms: late Middle English reuerande (northern), late Middle English–1500s reuerende, late Middle English–1500s reverende, late Middle English–1600s reuerend, late Middle English– reverend, 1600s revrend, 1600s– rev'rend; Scottish pre-1700 reuerand, pre-1700 reuerend, pre-1700 reuerende, pre-1700 rewarend, pre-1700 rewerane, pre-1700 1700s– reverend; also U.S. regional 1800s riverind, 1900s– rev'un, 1900s– reb'm, 1900s– reb'ren', 1900s– revyun, 1900s– reverent (in sense B. 1), 1900s– rev-runt (in sense B. 1). Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French reverend; Latin reverendus. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French reverend (French révérend ) (especially of a person) worthy of great respect (13th cent. in Old French; frequently as honorific epithet, especially of a bishop or other senior cleric, esp. in reverend pere , literally ‘reverend father’), respectful (1538) and its etymon < classical Latin reverendus deserving of respect, venerable, in post-classical Latin frequently in respectful forms of address (5th cent.), use as adjective of gerundive of reverērī revere v. Compare Catalan reverend (14th cent.), Spanish reverendo (late 14th cent.), Portuguese reverendo (14th cent.), Italian reverendo (a1535). In sense A. 4 probably by association with reverent adj.; the extent of the semantic overlap between the two words suggests that they were not clearly distinguished in early use.With most reverend, very reverend compare post-classical Latin reverendissimus, title (from 8th cent. (frequently from 12th cent.) in British sources). A. adj. 1. a. As a respectful epithet applied to members of the clergy (or occasionally of a religious order): worthy of great respect; to be treated with due reverence. In early use frequently with most, right. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > quality of inspiring reverence > [adjective] > as epithet of ecclesiastics venerable1437 reverend1509 1389 in W. Fraser Memorials Family Wemyss (1888) II. 24 The selys of reuerand faddrys into Crist. 1448 in S. A. Moore Lett. & Papers J. Shillingford (1871) 39 (MED) Please hit yn to youre..Lordship..to write unto the right reverend fader yn God..Edmund Bysshop of the Cathedrall churche of Excetre. 1461–2 Rolls of Parl.: Edward IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1461 §16. m. 10 The tenauntes..came unto his highnes, complaynyng upon the seid reverend fadre. 1483 W. Caxton in tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. ccxij/2 The reuerend fader in god Stephen Archebisshop of caunterburye Rychard bisshop of salisbury Waltere the pryour of the same wyth the couent wyth spyrytual songe. 1485 in J. Stuart & G. Burnett Exchequer Rolls Scotl. (1886) IX. 645 (note) A maist reverend and reverend faderis in God William Archibischop of Sanctandrois, Robert bischope of Glasgw [etc.]. 1491–2 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VII (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1491 §15. m. 7 Graunted unto him by the right reverend fadre in God, Maister Piers Courteney, som tyme bisshope of Excestre. 1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Aiv ^v In the handes of the reuerende fader my lorde of London. 1517 R. Fox tr. St. Benedict Rule sig. G.vii^v (colophon) Inprinted (by the commaundement of the reuerend fader in god Richard Bishope of winchester) by me Rycharde Pynson printer vnto the Kynges noble grace. 1548 (title) A notable Sermon of y^e reuerende father Maister Hughe Latemer, whiche he preached in y^e Shrouds at paules churche in London. 1588 ‘M. Marprelate’ Oh read ouer D. Iohn Bridges: Epist. 4 Take heed brethren of your reuerend and learned brother Martin Marprelate. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iv. ii. 18 The reuerend Abbot With all his Couent, honourably receiu'd him. View more context for this quotation 1653 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 330 The Death of our Reverend and Godlie Minister M^r. John Connant. 1722 B. Franklin in New-Eng. Courant 2 Apr. 6 Before I had liv'd quite two Years with this Reverend Gentleman, my indulgent Mother departed this Life. 1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 371 And thence, with all convenient speed, to Rome, With rev'rend tutor, clad in habit lay. 1835 I. Taylor Spiritual Despotism v. 218 These bishops and reverend Fathers removed only by two hundred years from the Apostolic age. 1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. ii. 36 In their train there is a reverend friar. 1895 T. Hardy Jude ii. ii There remained the schoolmaster—probably now a reverend parson. 1927 Abp. R. Davidson Addr. Convoc. 29 Mar. in Church Times 1 Apr. 392/1 Right Reverend and Reverend Brothers in the Sacred Ministry of Word and Sacrament. 1954 W. Lewis Self Condemned xi. 182 The platitudinous drone of the reverend gentleman in the god-business. 1991 B. Bandele-Thomas Man who came in from Back of Beyond (1992) ii. 36 [He] occasionally allowed his fertile imagination to run away with him and confessed to the reverend father that he committed adultery. b. Used in addressing a member of the clergy (or occasionally a member of a religious order). ΚΠ 1428 in R. T. Storey Reg. T. Langley (1959) 104 (MED) Ful worshipfull lord and reverend fader in God, I your poore bedewoman and doghter in Criste recommande me lawely to your gracious lordship. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope vi. f. cxl Ryght reuerende fader ye ought wel to knowe that [etc.]. 1549 Forme & Maner consecratyng Archebishoppes sig. A.iii Reuerend father in God, I present vnto you, these persones present. 1568 Mary Queen of Scots Let. 18 Jan. in Facsimiles National MSS Scotl. (1871) III. lviii Reuerend fader and traist cousigne and counsalour, we greit yow weill. 1649 J. Allington Brief Apol. Sequestred Clergie 1 Reverend Sir, This addresse may seem very strange. 1713 J. Swift To Earl of Oxford 121 Said Harley: Welcome, Rev'rend Dean. 1781 W. Cowper Anti-Thelypthora 132 Forms or no forms, pluralities or pairs, Right reverend Sirs! was no concern of theirs. 1820 W. Scott Monastery II. iii. 90 ‘And O, reverend sir,’ said the good widow, detaining him. 1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood xvii. 137 ‘And how did you leave Mr. Jasper, reverend sir?’ said Mr. Grewgious. 1931 E. Sutton tr. W. Eidlitz Zodiak i. 45 Why, reverend sir, did you not become a Patriarch or at least an Archimandrite? 2001 T. Pratchett Thief of Time 129 I want permission to track this one down right now, Reverend Sir! c. Chiefly with the. Used before a name as a title of a member of the clergy.In British English and varieties closely associated with it, the use of Reverend directly before a surname (without a forename, initial, or other title, as Doctor, Professor, etc.) and without the has typically been considered unacceptable, although examples of this kind are increasingly common throughout the 20th cent. In American English, this style is widely and uncontroversially attested from at least the 19th cent. (a) Originally used as an honorific designation for a particularly renowned and respected member of the clergy, esp. a divine or theologian. From the 18th cent., and now usually, used as the title of an ordained minister, esp. in the Anglican communion. See also Rev. adj., Revd adj. ΚΠ 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 296 The reuerend M. Doctor Heskins..inthronized in his Doctours chayer. 1606 W. Crashaw Falsificationum Romanarum To Rdr. D 4 b The reuerend Master Iohn Ferus..did in Sermon-wise explane the bookes of Iob vnto the Citizens. 1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. xi. 293 That wofull and unhappy discord betwixt him and reverend Bishop Hooper. 1650 Bp. J. Hall Revelation Unrevealed iii. 33 Reverend Calvin..is willing to construe this of the last desolation of the Jewes. 1657 J. Trapp Comm. Job ix. 9 But I had rather (saith Reverend Mr. Beza) retain still the Hebrew words. 1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi iv. ii. iv. 182/2 The Reverend Charles Chancey..opposed the Synodalian Principles. 1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 218 The Reverend D^r Atterbury was made Dean of X^t Church on this day sennight. 1784 J. Barnard Life R. Challoner xxi. 139 He exhorted and encouraged the Reverend Mr. William Errington, to establish a School for the Education of Boys upon the same Principle. 1801 E. Pendleton Let. 30 July in Lett. & Papers (1967) II. 694 The Reverend Mr. Abner Waugh, a Minister of the Episcopal Church. 1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. ii. ii. 133 Such, mentally, morally, and physically, was the Reverend Charles Merton. 1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles II. xxv. 53 The Reverend Felix..home for the inside of a fortnight. 1923 A. Huxley Antic Hay i. 4 The Reverend Pelvey, M.A., foghorning away from behind the imperial bird. 1970 P. Berton National Dream iv. ii. 161 A short time later, he ran into the Reverend Dr. Grant. 1987 T. Wolfe Bonfire of Vanities vi. 133 He looked at Reverend Bacon's fingers as they did their paradiddle on the desk. 2003 Church Times 30 May 19/3 The Reverend Stephen Griffith the Apokrisarios of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Anglican Chaplain in the Caucasus. (b) With distinguishing adverb as the title of a senior member of the clergy, as Most Reverend, Right Reverend, Very Reverend.The terms are variously applied to senior clergy from a range of Christian denominations, but especially in the Anglican communion and in the Roman Catholic Church. In the Anglican communion, Most Reverend designates an archbishop, Right Reverend a bishop, and Very Reverend a dean. In the Roman Catholic Church, a bishop is designated Most Reverend in Ireland, but Right Reverend in the United Kingdom. See also sense B. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > archbishop > [adjective] archiepiscopal1611 archprelatic1647 Most Reverend1681 archprelatical1882 society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > clerical superior > bishop > [noun] bishopc897 patriarcheOE bispa1300 ordinarya1325 ordinar?1403 father1418 discretion1421 pontificalc1440 diocesanc1450 rocheter1559 monseigneur1561 pope1563 bite-sheep1570 presul1577 rochet1581 diocesser1606 lawn sleevesc1640 episcopant1641 Right Reverend1681 diocesian1686 lawn-man1795 diocesiarch1805 bish1875 shire-bishop1880 1681 R. Boyle Let. 9 Apr. in Corr. (2001) V. 251 The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Meath & some other worthy Persons in your Parts. 1714 R. Steele Romish Eccles. Hist. 73 The most Reverend P. Fr. Tomasso Ripoll, Provincial of the Holy Land, and Postulator of the Canonization of Pius. 1767 A. Bedingfield Short Acct. Life Mary of Holy Cross p. xviii He repeated this Charge..to his Coadjutor and Successor, the Right Reverend Benjamin Petre, titular Bishop of Prusa. 1893 Catholic Dict. (new ed.) 590/1 The Very Reverend Father Colin died..at the age of eighty-five. 1906 Official Catholic Directory 75 Archdiocese of Milwaukee... Most Reverend Sebastian Gebhard Messmer, D.D., D.C.L., Archbishop of Milwaukee. 1985 Globe & Mail (Totonto) (Nexis) 29 Aug. Lewis, of course, is Most Reverend Lewis Garnsworthy, Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. Clarke is Very Reverend Clarke MacDonald, past moderator of the United Church of Canada. 1992 G. Hancock Sign & Seal iii. viii. 194 The information that precipitated my return [to Ethiopia] was provided to me by the Very Reverend Liqa Berhanat Solomon Gabre Selassie. 2004 Essex Chron. (Nexis) 8 July 17 The new Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend John Gladwin, was among the guest speakers. 2. Of a person: worthy of being treated with deep respect or held in high esteem on account of age, character, status, ability, etc.; venerable. †a. As a courteous or respectful form of address. In early use frequently with intensifier, as right, most. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [adjective] goodeOE liefc897 sweeta1225 beauc1300 gentlec1330 comelya1375 faira1375 reverentc1410 reverend1422 virtuous?1473 singular1485 lucky1568 respectable1749 1422 in H. M. Flasdieck Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1926) 61 (MED) Ryght worchepeful and reuerend Maystres, j recommaunde me to ȝow. 1447 in S. A. Moore Lett. & Papers J. Shillingford (1871) i. 33 (MED) My right reverend, trusty, and singular maister..my lord..thanketh your kyndenesse. 1486 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 54 Most reverend, rightwose regent of this rigalitie. 1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 192 O reuerend Chaucere, rose of rethoris all. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 223 Por. I pray you let me looke vpon the bond. Shy. Heere tis most reuerend doctor, here it is. View more context for this quotation 1634 T. Heywood Mayden-head well Lost i. i. sig. B4 Yet Reuerend Madame, but forget what's past. a1668 W. Davenant Poems in Wks. (1673) 335 O rev'rend Death! whose looks can soon advise Even scornfull Youth. 1716 J. Addison Drummer v. 45 Coachman [to a conjurer], ‘I have brought you, Reverend Sir, the largest Elbow Chair in the House.’ 1832 W. Irving Alhambra II. 71 ‘What mean you, most reverend owl?’ said Ahmed. 1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee vi. 76 Name any terms, reverend sir, even to the halving of my kingdom; but banish this calamity, spare the sun! b. gen. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > quality of inspiring reverence > [adjective] reverentc1410 reverendc1440 reverentiala1631 veneral1631 venerable1641 reverable1675 canonizable1913 c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan Epist. of Othea (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 91 Þe ful & perfitȝ felicite is þat þe whiche makiþ man sufficiently myȝti, reuerende, solempne & ioyeux. c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 240 He haue þee in open siȝt and presentli to dwelle wiþ þee, being and knowun to be so worþi, so reuerend, and so good. J. Metham Amoryus & Cleopes (1916) 2179 Enterly me comende to my lord..And to hys ryght reuerend lady. 1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. bii He is the riallest roy reuerend and rike. 1558 W. Warde (title) The Secretes of the reverende Maister Alexis of Piemovnt. Containyng excellente remedies against diuers diseases,..with the manner to make distillations,..fusions and meltynges. 1598 B. Yong tr. A. Pérez 2nd Pt. Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 221 I, with a yoong and courteous Shepherd; he, with an old and reuerend Shepherdesse. 1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 96 It is already in vse by diuers reuerend Phisitions. 1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 23 in Justa Edouardo King Next Chamus (reverend sire) went footing slow. 1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub x. 184 To the Reverend the Judges: To the Clergy, and Gentry. 1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. ix. 517 If Heav'n restore me to my Realms with Life, The rev'rend Peleus shall elect my Wife. 1786 R. Burns Poems 56 I've heard my rev'rend Graunie say [etc.]. 1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms iv. 604 He takes His reverend mother on his filial breast. 1885 J. Payn Talk of Town I. 47 Wise and reverend signors may well have learnt by experience to take trifling annoyances with equanimity. 1926 A. MacLeish Let. 29 Dec. (1983) 192 May be true, as reverend and sagacious little Mr. Cocteau says, that to epauler gracefully doesn't make good shooting. 1972 G. M. Brown Greenvoe (1976) iv. 113 The last doubter in the jury bowed his head in complete acquiescence as the reverend lawman gathered his black cloak about him and sat down at last. 3. a. Of a thing, place, etc.: worthy of, or inspiring, reverence. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > quality of inspiring reverence > [adjective] > of things, places, or qualities reverent?c1400 reverendc1443 venerand1549 sacred1560 venerable1601 reverentiala1631 numinous1647 c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 478 (MED) Eiþer of þe contemplatijf lijfis is an occupacioun vsid aboute a reuerendir and bettir mater and wiþ a better deede to gider taken..þan is his actijf lijf to hym answering. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. C4 The reuerend Maiesty of Emperours, Kinges and Princes. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. viii. sig. H2 His reuerend heares and holy grauitee The knight much honord. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage iii. viii. 282 He conquered Nice, the name whereof is reuerend for the first generall Councell of Christendome. 1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 18 Yet next to that, what can be..a greater violence to the reverend secret of nature. 1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iv. xix. 360 The Tenet has had the attestation of reverend Antiquity. a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 673 So much more Reverend is Suffering, than making Men suffer for Religion. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. xxxvii. 264 The big tears..straying down his reverend cheeks. 1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. iii. 209 Its dark oaken pannelling, all reverend with the gloom of departed years, seemed to fit it for..solemn meditation. 1846 J. Keble Lyra Innocentium 119 Write in young hearts Thy reverend lore. 1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 226 No day but pilgrim..flings crutch away, Or else appends it to the reverend heap Beneath you. 1912 R. Hughes Old Nest iii. ii. 137 In front of her window grew a tree—a grave and reverend tree. 1998 A. R. Jones & M. F. Rosenthal tr. V. Franco Poems & Sel. Lett. 263 In a higher place distinguished from others such reverend images have their seat. b. Sacred, hallowed, holy. ΘΚΠ society > faith > aspects of faith > holiness > [adjective] hallowedc900 holyc1000 blessedc1200 blissfula1225 seelya1225 yblessed1297 sacred13.. saint1377 devoutc1380 divinec1380 consecratec1386 dedicatec1386 benedighta1400 happyc1405 sillya1450 sacrate?a1475 sanctificatec1485 sacrificed?1504 sacrea1535 religious1549 vowed1585 anointed1595 devote1597 devoted1597 consecrated1599 sacrosanct1601 sanctimonious1604 sanctified1607 dedicated1609 divined1624 sacrosanctious1629 reverend1631 celebrate1632 divinified1633 sacrosanctified1693 sanctimonial1721 sacramental1851 divinized1852 sacral1882 sanct1890 sanctifiable1894 sacramented1914 hierophanic1927 kramat1947 sacralized1979 1631 E. Howes Stow's Ann. 999/1 Diuers Church-yards new layd apart, dedicated for reuerend places to bury the dead. 1693 T. Creech tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires xiii. 265 Bold Sacriledge..destroys a Shrine, The Reverend Goblets, and the ancient Plate. 1717 in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Metamorphoses x. 342 From thence Cerastae call'd; an impious Race: Before whose Gates a rev'rend Altar stood, To Jove inscrib'd, the hospitable God. a1775 E. Lovibond Poems Several Occasions (1785) 196 It's giant arms extending to defend Thy reverend temples. 1839 Knickerbocker Sept. 267 There is another reverend church here, having curious monuments, and standing modestly apart, in Leadenhall-street. 1895 Monthly Musical Rec. Oct. 217/1 There is no reason to suppose that the consequences will be fatal, or even in any large degree harmful, to the audiences that thronged the Shire Hall and the reverend cathedral. 1929 L. W. Reese Victorian Village 3 I..watch the men and women of the parish trim the reverend building for the oncoming festival of Christmas. 1991 W. L. Wakefield & A. P. Evans tr. J. Capelli in Heresies of High Middle Ages 302 The persistent babbling of the heretics impugns this reverend sacrament with poisonous phrases. 4. = reverent adj. 1. Now rare.Common in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > [adjective] worshipful1357 reverenta1382 reverend1449 reverencing1573 reverentiala1575 venerate1592 venerable1613 revering1639 venerating1663 venerant1846 venerational1854 venerative1860 J. Metham Amoryus & Cleopes (1916) 295 (MED) I, on the most reuerend wyse, A blake bole in the yle of Delfos [perh. read Delos] schal to the sacrifyse. a1450 York Plays (1885) 293 (MED) All renkkis þat are renand to vs schall be reuerande. 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. i. f. 1 The reverende and thanckefull antiquite was accustomed to esteme those men as goddes. 1568 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 76 Inclyne befoir þe cristin conquerour,..With reuerend feir doun on ȝour facis ly. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 116 There is in him singular honestie,..passing liberalitie towardes straungers, and plentie of reuerend behauiour. 1615 W. Hull Mirrour of Majestie 33 The minde beholdeth God with..ioy of heart, and reuerend admiration. 1686 R. Parr Life J. Usher 85 From whence you may observe the reverend esteem he had for our Liturgy. 1756 S. Angier Polite Mod. Divine 40 A reverend Gesture and Tone of Voice. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 169 ‘Ay, ay, we'se ha' reverend care on thee..,’ answered the man of constituted authority. 1855 J. A. Froude in Oxf. Ess. 54 When nature shall be studied in a more reverend spirit. 1874 E. B. Pusey Lenten Serm. 90 That reverend awe, amid which by God's grace we are..to work out our own salvation. 1909 Harvard Graduates' Mag. June 775/2 It was the custom of the press then to treat the affairs of Harvard College in a grave and reverend manner. 1994 J. Dent-Young & A. Dent-Young tr. Shi Nai'an & Luo Guanzhong Broken Seals (2002) vi. 143 The Scripture Halls have a dignified and reverend air. 5. Of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [adjective] rulerc1390 reverent1398 ruly?c1450 ecclesiasticala1538 ministerial1561 clerical1592 ecclesiastic1603 cleric1623 reverend1625 clergical1632 clergya1635 hieratical1656 churchmanlike1786 shovel-hatted1832 churchmanly1833 hieratic1866 1625 T. Middleton Game at Chæss v. sig. I3 (stage direct.) Enter White Q[ueen's]. p[awn]. and the Blacke B[ishop's]. p[awn]. the Iesuit in his reuerend Habit meeting them. 1645 J. Milton Tetrachordon 59 As there is nothing more violent and boistrous then a reverend ignorance in fear to be convicted. 1742 (title) Ecclesiastical Transactions; or a Collection of Reverend Jokes. 1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random lxii This was a man in years, who wore a reverend periwig. 1842 E. B. Barrett in Athenaeum 5 Mar. 210/2 So that reverend brows grew dark to hear women with musical voices sing them softly. 1872 Harper's Mag. Dec. 135/2 As the ceremony vanishes, and the reverend robes disappear, leaving the man below, he must be a man who stands firmly and squarely upon his feet. 1945 F. B. Lennon Victoria through Looking-glass x. 185 Meditating on the uncommitted crime for which he is incarcerated in Oxford, in his reverend collar and high hat. 6. U.S. colloquial and regional. Strong, powerful; (also) full strength, undiluted, ‘neat’. Cf. reverent adj. 5.Recorded earliest in reverend set n. at Compounds. ΘΚΠ society > authority > power > [adjective] mightyeOE craftyeOE richeOE strongeOE wieldeOE mainstrongOE mightOE keena1000 mightfullOE mainfulc1225 reighc1225 starkc1275 boldc1300 fort13.. mightandc1350 strengthya1382 mightifula1400 bigc1400 powerfulc1450 puissant?c1450 mananta1500 mighteousa1500 potenta1500 potential?c1500 vailing1508 forcible1555 potentate1556 swingeing1567 powerable1580 strong-handed1598 strengthful1604 hogen mogen1648 powerlike1657 pollent1660 hogana1672 swayful1767 reverend1826 oomphy1955 kick-ass1977 1826 T. Flint Recoll. Last Ten Years 15 A firm push of the iron-pointed pole on a fixed log, is termed a ‘reverend’ set. 1837 A. Wetmore et al. Gazetteer Missouri 336 ‘Muster courage to take..a tablespoonful, three times a day.’—‘Jist reverend, without water, doctor?’ 1888 ‘C. E. Craddock’ Despot Broomsedge Cove 467 I thunk the reverend stuff would fetch ye. 1936 Amer. Speech 11 317/1 Do you want this here castor oil reverend, or shall I mix some sody-pop in it? 1982 S. McCool Sam McCool's New Pittsburghese 29 You can tell he hasn't bathed for days by the reverend odor. B. n. colloquial. 1. A member of the clergy; (also occasionally) a member of a religious order, a preacher, etc.Also with Most, Right, Very: see sense A. 1c(b). ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [noun] God's maneOE priestOE clerkc1050 secularc1290 vicary1303 minister1340 divinec1380 man of Godc1384 kirkmana1400 man of the churchc1400 cockc1405 Ecclesiastc1405 spiritual1441 ministrator1450 abbé1530 reverend1547 churchman1549 tippet-captain?1550 tippet knight1551 tippet man1551 public minister1564 reading minister1572 clergyman1577 clerk1577 padre1584 minstrel1586 spiritual1600 cleric1623 cassock1628 Levite1640 gownsman1641 teaching elder1642 ecclesiastic1651 religionist1651 crape1682 crape-gown-man1682 man in black1692 soul driver1699 secularist1716 autem jet1737 liturge1737 officiant1740 snub-devil1785 soul doctor1785 officiator1801 umfundisi1825 crape-man1826 clerical1837 God-man1842 Pfarrer1844 liturgist1848 white-choker1851 rook1859 shovel hat1859 sky pilot1865 ecclesiastical1883 joss-pidgin-man1886 josser1887 sin-shiftera1912 sin-buster1931 parch1944 1547 tr. A. de Marcourt Bk. Marchauntes (new ed.) sig. f.ii^v In a certain place of Fraunc called Beaunoys is a lytell abbay.., where as the reuerends ther do shewe a tothe whyche as they say is one of S. Christophres. 1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 121 Much more Than the Right Reverend whom they taxt before. 1663 E. Waterhouse Fortescutus Illustratus xxii. 298 God gives them up to fear sordidly, and deny the truth shamefully, as those Carpet and Out-side Reverends did.., who were zealous Protestants in King Edward's, and as zealous Papists in Queen Mary's dayes. 1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. iii. 69 Let us recommend it to our Most Reverend, and Right Reverend, to put our own Ecclesiastick Affairs into such a good Posture [etc.]. a1776 D. Hume My Own Life in Hist. Eng. (1778) I. p. x Answers by Reverends, and Right Reverends, came out two or three in a year. 1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xvi. 206 Those who had not attained to military honours were either doctors, professors, or reverends. 1848 C. Dickens Dombey & Son lvii. 571 The nuptial benediction is to be a superior one, proceeding from a very reverend, a dean. 1859 O. L. Jackson Colonel's Diary (1922) ii. 8 I..heard a very good sermon—from a Reverend from Pittsburgh. 1894 R. D. Blackmore Perlycross I. iii. 33 We are not so meddlesome as you Reverends are. 1908 S. Ford Odd Numbers (1912) xviii. 283 You ain't got just the style for a right reverend, that's a fact. 1943 G. Greene Ministry of Fear iii. ii. 191 That [car], sir—that's the reverend's... We thought it only right to let the vicar know. 1976 J. McNeish Glass Zoo vii. 71 Funny, that cloak of yours. I know a Reverend in Leeds got about like that. 2005 A. Smith Accidental 158 He has read, unseeing, so many times in the last couple of weeks, the plaques on the walls dedicated to the dead reverends. 2. Used as a form of address to a member of the clergy. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [noun] > address or title of his reverencea1438 your reverence?a1440 fathershipa1500 dompnea1536 domine1566 reverendship1609 Revd1670 rookship1710 brother1741 venerability1843 Pfarrer1844 Rev.1862 reverend1869 1869 G. J. Chester Transatlantic Sketches vii. 87 A clergyman is always a ‘Reverend’, and in conversation even between clergy themselves you hear, ‘Yes, Reverend’, and ‘No, Reverend’, continually repeated ad nauseam. 1960 H. Lee To kill Mockingbird xii. 133 Why can't she take 'em with her, Reverend? 1967 C. Armstrong in Ellery Queen's Mystery Mag. July 11/1 What you'd better do, Reverend, is go over to the motel and rest. 1974 J. Wainwright Hard Hit 8 ‘I dunno you, reverend. I think you're making some sorta...’ ‘Mistake?’ 2006 D. Arnoult Sufficient Grace 100 ‘Excuse me, Reverend’, Mama Toot says. Compounds Reverend Mother n. (also with lower-case initials) a female head or superior of a religious community, esp. a Mother Superior (frequently as a title or form of address). ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > conventual head > [noun] > female presidentress1650 Reverend Mother1658 superioress1669 provostess1871 Mother Superior1907 Mother Vicaress1930 Mother Prioress1961 Sister Superior1991 1658 ‘F. G.’ in A. Baker More's Spiritval Exercises Ep. Ded. 3 The R. Mother Bridgit More of Saint Peter and Saint Paul most worthy Prioresse of the English Benedictin Nunns of our Lady of Hope in Paris. Reverend Mother, This deuout Book comes to you..[etc.]. c1667 G. Blakhal Breiffe Narr. Services Done Three Noble Ladyes (1844) iii. 194 She would go the next Tuysday herself to the Filles St. Marie,..and aggree with the reverend mother, Louis Eugenie, superieure of that house. 1701 W. Fuller Trip Hamshire & Flanders 24 The next morning the Earl pay'd a Visit to the Reverend Mother, and other Nuns at the English Convent. 1847 E. F. S. Harris From Oxf. to Rome vii. 251 But, Reverend Mother, is Sister Mary Beatrice ill? 1907 Irish Monthly Apr. 223 It was now the reign of a new Reverend Mother. 2006 Contra Costa (Calif.) Times (Nexis) 2 Dec. f4 The all-too-unworldly mother superior, Reverend Mother Mary Regina. reverend set n. U.S. slang (now rare) a powerful push with a long pole used to set a boat in motion or move it through difficult waters. ΚΠ 1826‘Reverend’ set [see sense A. 6]. 1833 J. K. Paulding Banks of Ohio I. 145 They placed their shoulders against the long poles, one end of which was loaded with iron, and making what was called a ‘reverend set’, walked steadily to the stern of the broad-horn, propelling her forward at the same time. 1901 W. H. Venable Dream of Empire 115 Push off, there, boys! Get your poles in hand and give her a reverend set! Derivatives ˈreverend-ˌlike adj. ΚΠ 1750 Student 1 No. 3. 83 The person was introduced, being an old reverend-like man, with a long beard and ordinary grey cloaths. 1866 James Meetwell I. ii. 36 His grey, silvery locks, so nicely combed down, gave him quite a respectable and reverend-like appearance. 1996 Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch (Nexis) 7 May c1 It's advice that Jamison, the son and grandson of Baptist ministers, mixes with his academic and corporate background to guide others in a reverend-like style. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.n.1389
随便看	have patience toward have patience with have pegged have pepper in the nose have personality have pissed on a nettle have pity have pity of have place have pleasing to have points have price of have price upon have province have provision have rap have rather have rats in one's garret have reason have record have recourse to have regard of have regard to have regard to or that have relation to