rev.

The rev. greeted the congregation after the service.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • Abbreviation for Reverend: "rev." is a written abbreviation for "Reverend", a title used before the name of a member of the Christian clergy.
   • Abbreviation for revolution: In informal or technical contexts, "rev." can be an abbreviation for "revolution", especially in terms of engine speed (e.g., "revs per minute").

2. Verb (informal):

   • To increase the speed of an engine: "rev." (short for "rev up") means to increase the rotational speed of an engine, typically by pressing the accelerator.
   • To accelerate or energize: To make something more active or intense.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The service was led by Rev. John Smith. (The title "Reverend" before the clergyman's name.)
  • The car's engine was running at 3,000 revs. (The engine speed measured in revolutions per minute.)

• Verb:

  • He revved the engine before the race. (He increased the engine's speed.)
  • The coach revved up the team with a motivational speech. (He energized the team.)

Advanced Usage

• "rev. up": To cause an engine to run faster by pressing the accelerator.

  • The driver revved up the car at the starting line. (He made the engine roar louder.)

• "rev. down": To reduce the speed of an engine.

  • He revved down the engine as he approached the stop sign. (He decreased engine speed.)

Variants and Related Words

• Revving (present participle): The act of increasing engine speed.

  • The revving of the motorcycle could be heard from blocks away. (The continuous sound of the engine accelerating.)

• Revved (past tense): Having increased engine speed.

  • She revved the engine and then drove off. (She accelerated the engine briefly.)

Synonyms

• Accelerate: to increase speed (for vehicles or processes).
• Race: to run an engine at high speed without moving (e.g., "race the engine").

Phrasal Verbs

• Rev up: To increase the speed or intensity of something.

  • The DJ revved up the crowd with loud music. (He excited and energized the audience.)

• Rev down: To reduce speed or intensity.

  • The pilot revved down the engines after landing. (He decreased engine power.)

Related Idioms

• Rev someone's engine: To excite or motivate someone (informal).
  • That motivational speech really revved my engine. (It energized and inspired me.)