Definition of the word reverence

The word "reverence" originated in the Middle English language during the 13th century. Its roots lie in the Old French word "reverence," which meant "respect" or "fear." The French word "reverence" itself can be traced back to the Latin word "reverentia," which was used to denote a sense of awe or "reverential fear" when referring to the divine. In medieval times, the term "reverence" came to be associated with religious settings as a way to describe the appropriate level of respect and humility to be shown towards religious figures or sacred objects. This can be seen in the usage of the term "reverence due to a sacred object," which was a phrase used by Thomas Aquinas in his important treatise on theology, "Summa Theologiae." Over time, the meaning of the word "reverence" has evolved to convey a broader sense of respect, understanding, or admiration in various non-religious contexts. Its usage today is therefore not necessarily constrained to religious settings, encompassing diverse meanings in different contexts.