Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Reverend

Reverend , adjective

[French révérend, Latin reverendus, from revereri. See Revere.]

Worthy of reverence; entitled to respect mingled with fear and affection; venerable.
A reverend sire among them came. — Milton
They must give good example and reverend deportment in the face of their children. — Jer. Taylor

This word is commonly given as a title of respect to ecclesiastics. A clergyman is styled the reverend; a dean, the very reverend; a bishop, the right reverend; an archbishop, the most reverend.