reverencyn.

?1505 J. van Doesborch tr. Lytel Treatyse xv. Tokens sig. b vj The[y] tremble for the reuerencie that they shullen done.

?1549 J. Hooper Declar. 10 Commandm. x. 164 The reuerencie of matrimonie is not dew vnto him that contemnithe the autour of matrimonie.

1576 J. Woolton Christian Man. sig. I.v^v They breede in them fyercenesse, boldnesse, and impudencye: they neglect reuerency, comelinesse, and honesty.

1649 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault Use of Passions vi. 48 One may make his sorrow pass for Imposturism, and under the pretence of reverency a man may overthrow the ground-work of our souls welfare.

1680 J. Dean Badger in Fox-trap 5 God Dam your Reverency, let that go by, You are as deep i'th dirt in that as I.

1759 T. C. Robeteau Let. in S. Hazard Pennsylvania Arch. (1856) XII. 284 Your Reverency knows that I have a Family & the place that I live on is so poor That I can keep neither Cows, Hogs nor any thing else.

1859 Househ. Words 12 Feb. 244/1 His Excellency the Consul is not at home; but must be in soon; for, at three, his Reverency the Archbishop comes to dinner.

a1878 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Elective Affinities in Wks. (1901) III. 253 Familiarity, when displayed instead of reverency, is always ridiculous.

1998 G. L. Williams Papal Geneal. 5/2 In their absence emerges a new papacy, one with a renewed spiritual quality that has affirmed the current reverency of the bishop of Rome today.