Reverend
/'revərənd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Worthy of deep respect and veneration: Describes someone or something that commands profound respect, often due to a sacred or highly esteemed nature.
Noun:
- A title of respect for a member of the Christian clergy: Used as a formal title before the name of a priest or minister.
- A member of the clergy; a spiritual leader of the Christian Church: Refers to the person who holds such a title and office.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The reverend sage offered wisdom to the villagers. (The deeply respected sage offered wisdom to the villagers.)
- They entered the reverend silence of the ancient cathedral. (They entered the deeply respectful silence of the ancient cathedral.)
Noun (as a title):
- We spoke with Reverend Davis after the service. (We spoke with the clergyman titled Reverend Davis after the service.)
- The invitation was addressed to the Rev. A. Jones. (The invitation was addressed to the clergyman titled Rev. A. Jones.)
Noun (referring to the person):
- The reverend gave a powerful sermon on Sunday. (The member of the clergy gave a powerful sermon on Sunday.)
- Several reverends from different denominations attended the conference. (Several clergy members from different denominations attended the conference.)
Advanced Usage
- "The Reverend" (Full Title): The standard formal title when addressing or referring to a Protestant minister, Anglican priest, or other Christian clergy. It is typically used with the full name (e.g., ).
- Abbreviations: Commonly abbreviated as or , especially in written form.
- Hierarchical Modifiers: In some Christian traditions, additional honorifics precede "Reverend" to denote rank:
- The Right Reverend (often for a bishop).
- The Most Reverend (often for an archbishop or metropolitan).
Variants and Related Words
- Reverence (n.): A feeling of profound awe and respect.
- She held the ancient text in deep reverence.
- Reverent (adj.): Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
- The congregation was reverent during the prayer.
- Reverential (adj.): Of the nature of, due to, or characterized by reverence.
- He spoke in a reverential tone about his mentor.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Venerable, respected, esteemed, august.
- Noun (for the person): Clergyman, clergywoman, minister, pastor, priest, parson.
Related Phrases
- "Your Reverence": A formal, somewhat archaic form of address for a member of the clergy, particularly in some Catholic and Anglican contexts.
- "Your Reverence, the parishioners are waiting."
Notes on Usage
- When used as a title, "Reverend" is not a stand-alone form of address. One would not say, "Hello, Reverend." Instead, it is used with the surname or full name: "Hello, Reverend Smith."
- The word is capitalized when it forms part of a title (e.g., ) but not when used as a general adjective (e.g., ).
- While primarily associated with Christian clergy, the adjective form can be applied more broadly to any deeply respected person or thing.
Adjective
- worthy of adoration or reverence
Noun
- a title of respect for a clergyman
- a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church