Definition of revere

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re·vere¹    (r-vîr) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
re·vered, re·ver·ing, re·veres

To regard with awe, deference, and devotion.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French révérer, from Old French reverer, from Latin reverr : re-, re- + verr, to respect; see wer-³ in Indo-European roots

SYNONYMS:
revere¹, worship, venerate, adore, idolize

These verbs mean to regard with the deepest respect, deference, and esteem. Revere suggests awe coupled with profound honor: "At least one third of the population ... reveres every sort of holy man" (Rudyard Kipling). Worship implies reverent love and homage rendered to God or a god: The ancient Egyptians worshiped a number of gods. In a more general sense worship connotes an often uncritical devotion: "She had worshiped intellect" (Charles Kingsley). Venerate connotes reverence accorded by virtue, especially of dignity or age: "I venerate the memory of my grandfather" (Horace Walpole). To adore is to worship with deep, often rapturous love: The students adored their caring teacher. Idolize implies worship like that accorded an object of religious devotion: He idolizes his wife.