reverend

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin reverendus 'person to be revered', gerundive of revereri (see revere)

As a title, Reverend is used for members of the clergy; the traditionally correct form of address is the Reverend James Smith or the Reverend J. Smith, rather than Reverend Smith or simply Reverend. In American usage, however, the article the is commonly not used, even by the devout and reverent. Careful speakers and writers, however, may choose to include the the, in deference to the formerly common and primary use of reverend as an adjective (‘worthy of being revered, respected’).