reverend Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
    clergyman; man of the cloth.
  2. noun a title of respect for a clergyman
  3. adjective satellite worthy of adoration or reverence
    sublime.

WordNet

Rev"er*end adjective
Etymology
F. révérend, L. reverendus, fr. revereri. See Revere.
Definitions
  1. 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 1913