Etymologically
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reverendus

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Forms

reverendus (feminine reverenda, neuter reverendum); first/second-declension adjective; superlative reverendissimus[1][2]

Etymology

It is the gerundive from Latin revereor (“to stand in awe of, revere”), used as an adjective meaning worthy to be revered.[1][3][4] The verb is vereor (“to fear, respect”) with the prefix re-.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Ovid uses it in the Ibis of the night, as something to be held in awe: nox tenebrarum specie reverenda, “night, awe-inspiring with the look of its darkness”.[4][3][6]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it means deserving of respect or venerable.[1] Juvenal applies it to a face, Gellius to a book of venerable age, and Spartianus to a person of venerable looks.[3][2] Orosius has the superlative reverendissimus, of days.[3]

In Christian Latin it became a title of honour for high clergy,[3][7] with the superlative reverendissimus as a form of address.[2][8] Medieval British writers used it of persons respected for age, holiness, learning or office.[8] English took it over as reverend in the early 15th century, and as a form of address for clergymen from the late 15th century.[5]

Timeline

  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid calls the night reverenda in the Ibis.[4][6]
  • c. 67–c. 127 AD – Juvenal uses it of a face.[3][6]
  • c. 165 AD – Aulus Gellius speaks of a book of venerable age.[3][6]
  • 417/418 AD – Orosius uses the superlative reverendissimus.[3][6]
  • early 15th century – Borrowed into English as reverend.[5]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Deserving of respect or awe, venerable.[1][3][4]
  2. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Reverend, as a title of honour for clergy; superlative reverendissimus, most reverend.[3][2][9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c d Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  7. ^ du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  8. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  9. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson