[ad. L. venerāt-, ppl. stem of venerārī (also venerāre) to reverence, worship, adore; whence also It. venerare, Sp. and Pg. venerar, F. vénérer.]
1. trans. To regard with feelings of respect and reverence; to look upon as something exalted, hallowed or sacred; to reverence or revere.
1623. Cockeram, I. Venerate, to worship.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Venerate, to reverence, worship or honour.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., II. 355. Who venerate themselves, the world despise.
1794. R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., I. 481. But there was a class of Alchymists, whose genius, probity, and conduct, we have reason to venerate.
1851. D. Wilson, Preh. Ann., IV. iv. (1863), II. 293. The ruined chapels are still venerated.
1870. J. Bruce, Life Gideon, iv. 70. [We] have learned to venerate the Word of God.
2. To pay honor to (something) by a distinct act of reverence.
1844. Lingard, Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858), I. v. 189. Thrice he venerated the sacred remains.
Hence Venerated, Venerating ppl. adjs.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., Wks. V. 84. You would have had … a reformed and *venerated clergy.
1818. Cobbett, Pol. Reg., XXXIII. 169. In the Reports, the Resolutions, and in the venerated Acts, of your Honourable House.
1847. Prescott, Peru (1850), II. 143. It would be easier to govern under the venerated authority to which the homage of the Indians had been so long paid.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 272. Smiling and sighing had the same effect Upon the venerated image.
1663. Boyle, Usef. Exp. Nat. Philos., I. ii. 55. The Queen of Sheba … then brake forth into pathetic and *venerating exclamations.
1828. Miss Higginson, in Drummond & Upton, Life Martineau (1902), I. iii. 50. [Her reply declines to accept from him a] venerating love.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, III. xxxiv. He … saw the faces of men and women lifted towards him in venerating love.
1888. Ruskin, Præterita, III. 8. Without … trouble to their venerating visitors in coming so far up hill.
