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The act of bowing, or bending the body, in respect or reverence. "The incurvations of the knee." Bp. Hall.

g or has control. Unto the kingdom of perpetual night. Shak. You're welcome, Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom. Shak.

To salute with the lips, as a mark of affection, reverence, submission, forgiveness, etc. He . . . kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack, That at the parting all the church echoed. Shak.

ance; as, a liege lord. Chaucer. She looked as grand as doomsday and as grave; And he, he reverenced his liege lady there. Tennyson.

Worship of, or reverence for, a lord as such. [Jocose] But how should it be otherwise in a country where lordolatry is part of our creed Thackeray.

Due gratitude and reverence to God. Keep yourselves in the love of God. Jude 21.

Submissive; humble. "Low reverence." Milton.

The dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or state which inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether proceeding from rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness; stateliness; -- usually applied to the rank and dignity of sovereigns. The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. Ps. xc…

Feigned; insincere. "Make-believe reverence." G. Eliot.

Natural affection or reverence. Have we not seen The murdering son ascend his parent's bed, Through violated nature foce his way Pope.

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have an oath in heaven" Shak. An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which we think fit to keep secret. Bacon.

Ready to obey; reverent; differential; also, servilely submissive.

One who makes an offering as an act worship or reverence. Dr. H. More.

Awful, or reverential, in an excessive degree. [R.] Milton.

Veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being, and love of his character; loving obedience to the will of God, and earnest devotion to his service. Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of decaying man. Rambler.

Of or pertaining to piety; exhibiting piety; reverential; dutiful; religious; devout; godly. "Pious hearts." Milton. "Pious poetry." Johnson. Where was the martial brother's pious care Pope.

ghty; influential; as, a potent prince. "A potent dukedom." Shak. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors. Shak.

r of prelates, taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries. "Divers of the reverend prelacy, and other most judicious men." Hooker.

ed by possession had during the time and in the manner fixed by law. Bacon. That profound reverence for law and prescription which has long been characteristic of Englishmen. Macaulay.

The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an overstepping of the bounds of reverence, respect, or courtesy; forward, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; presumptuousness; arrogance; effrontery. Thy son I killed for his presumption. Shak. I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very unfinished pie…