reverencia

Reverencia is the feeling or attitude of deep respect, honor, or worship toward someone or something deemed worthy of esteem. It can describe both a person's inner attitude and outward gestures of deference.

Etymology: Derives from Latin reverentia, from reverens, “to respect.” In Spanish and Portuguese, reverencia and reverência share the same root and carry similar meanings: a combination of deference, veneration, and sometimes ritual bowing.

Forms and expressions: In religious contexts, reverence is often expressed through actions such as kneeling, bowing, genuflection, or prayer before sacred spaces or figures. In secular settings, reverence may appear as respectful conduct toward elders, authority, traditions, moral values, or nature, including formal greetings or acts of courtesy such as a curtsey, a bow, or placing a hand on the heart.

Cultural and religious variation: Practices vary widely by culture and faith. Some traditions emphasize public ritual and liturgical acts; others emphasize interior reverence and mindfulness. The term can also describe a profound sense of awe and respect for the sacred or the good, extending to people, places, and ideas.

In literature and ethics, reverence is used to describe a serious, respectful attitude toward what is regarded as sacred or intrinsically valuable; it is often distinguished from mere admiration by its humility, restraint, and careful attention.