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Webster 1913 Edition
Reverend
Rev′er-end
,Adj.
Worthy of reverence; entitled to respect mingled with fear and affection; venerable.
A
reverend
sire among them came. Milton.
They must give good example and
reverend
deportment in the face of their children. Jer. Taylor.
☞ This word is commonly given as a title of respect to ecclesiastics. A clergyman is styled the reverend; a dean, the very reverend; a bishop, the right reverend; an archbishop, the most reverend.
Webster 1828 Edition
Reverend
REV'EREND
,Adj.
1.
Worthy of reverence; entitled to respect mingled with fear and affection; as reverend and gracious senators.A reverend sire among them came.
[This epithet is, I believe, never applied to the Supreme Being, or to his laws or institutions. In lieu of it we use venerable.]
2.
A title of respect given to the clergy or ecclesiastics. We style a clergyman reverend; a bishop is styled right reverend; an archbishop most reverend. The religious in catholic countries, are styled reverend fathers; abbesses, prioresses, &c. reverend mothers. In Scotland, as in the United States, the clergy are individually styled reverend. A synod is styled very reverend, and the general assembly venerable.