REV'EREND, a. L. reverendus.
1. Worthy of reverence entitled to respect mingled with fear and affection as reverend and gracious senators.
A reverend sire among them came.
This epithet is, I believe, never applied to the Supreme Being, or to his laws or institutions. In lieu of it we use venerable.
2. A title of respect given to the clergy or ecclesiastics. We style a clergyman reverend a bishop is styled right reverend an archbishop most reverend. The religious in catholic countries, are styled reverend fathers abbesses, prioresses, &c. reverend mothers. In Scotland, as in the United States, the clergy are individually styled reverend. A synod is styled very reverend, and the general assembly venerable.
The King James Bible has stood its ground for nearly 400 years. However, during that time the English language has changed, and with it the meanings of some words it used. Here are more than 6,500 words whose definitions have changed since 1611.Wikipedia
Read More