What is reverence? This question is both simple and difficult to answer. If you answer simply, you only need to look into the explanatory dictionary and find the meaning there. If it’s difficult to answer, it will take some time. We will use the dictionary, of course, but at the same time we will try to explain what is behind the outlandish word “reverence”, we will select synonyms, make sentences and explain the meaning.
Origin
Some definitions, unfortunately, do not spoil us, and we can not look at what they have in the pedigree. But with the object of study, thank God, a different story. Therefore, to begin the answer to the question of what piety is, it follows with etymology.
The dictionary indicates that the word is borrowed from German, and goes back to Latin, where pietas is “pious”, “virtuous”.
By the way, one can not even bother oneself with what piety is, because "piety" corresponds to "reverence." But no one took off the task of analyzing that one thing, that another feeling. Therefore, we will fulfill our obligations to the reader immediately after parsing the value of the object of study.
Value
So, we open the explanatory dictionary and read there: "Deep respect, reverence." Two dictionaries agree with each other.
And yet, what is reverence when viewed in depth? It seems that you just need to increase the power of any conceivable respect and add awe to it in all possible meanings of the word. As you know, the word has three meanings:
- trembling
- tension, excitement;
- fear, fear.
In order for this complex feeling to result in awe, the presence of all three emotions is necessary.
Admiration and awe as traits of high natures
Imagine, for example, the relationship of student and teacher. On the one hand, teachers can be immensely respected, but still it is impossible to erase irrational fear from interaction, because the authority of a teacher is immense. Therefore, in fact, one cannot do without the single noun “respect”.
French philosopher Gabriel Marcel argued that the ability to admire is a feature of high natures. Complementing the thinker, we can say that the ability to relate to someone is not so much characterizing the object of reverence as the subject experiencing such feelings, and also speaks of the person's ability to dream, set goals, objectives, boundaries, and then overcome the latter. Piety indicates that a person has guidelines and aspirations.
Synonyms and sentences
Since the word is outlandish, we just need to replace the object of study. Imagine them without delaying the process:
- respect;
- veneration;
- awe;
- reverence.
And that’s all there is. Yes, the concept is complex, so there are not so many replacements. Note that the dictionary does not bind awe and reverence, and in vain, for sacred horror is also present in this wonderful feeling.
Ok, let's leave this topic and move on to the suggestions:
- He was a quiet well-read boy, and he felt reverence for hooligans and rebels.
- Listen, what are you stewing? It's time for you to get used to the fact that Zinedine Zidane is my father, and will soon become your father-in-law. Therefore, there should not be any reverence here.
- He was a wonderful teacher, many felt reverence for him. Moreover, he was idolized not only by those students who were studying with him at the moment, but also those who had studied with him at least sometime, he had such a powerful energy impact on people.
After we have learned the meaning of the word, compiled sentences and considered synonyms for “reverence,” we can end this way: in a state of reverence, human ideals are recognized. If we do not have authority, then we do not feel reverence. And if they are strange or destructive, then this also cannot be hidden. Therefore, be careful with your idols, because they can compromise you.