venerable

 
Pronunciation: /ˈvɛn(ə)rəb(ə)l/

adjective

  • accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character: a venerable statesman
  • (in the Anglican Church) a title given to an archdeacon.
  • (in the Roman Catholic Church) a title given to a deceased person who has attained a certain degree of sanctity but has not been fully beatified or canonized.

Derivatives

venerability

Pronunciation: /-ˈbɪlɪti/
noun

venerableness

noun

venerably

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin venerabilis, from the verb venerari (see venerate)