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venerable

ven·er·a·ble [ vénnərəb'l ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. worthy of respect: worthy of respect as a result of great age, wisdom, remarkable achievements, or similar qualities

2. religion revered: revered for qualities such as great age or holiness

3. ancient: extremely old

4. christianity used as title before canonization: used by the Roman Catholic Church to describe somebody who has died and attained the first of the three degrees of canonization

5. christianity used as archdeacon's title: used in the Church of England as a title for an archdeacon

[15th century. Directly or via French< Latin venerabilis< venerari (see venerate)]

ven·er·a·bil·i·ty [ vènnərə bíllətee ] noun
ven·er·a·bly [ vénnərəblee ] adverb
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