venerer

Venerer is a verb used in Norwegian Bokmål and Danish to express reverence or worship toward a person, an object, or an abstract ideal. It covers both religious senses, such as worship of a deity, and secular senses, such as revering a tradition or a respected figure. In everyday speech it tends toward formal or ceremonial contexts, while beundre or respektere may be used for more casual praise.

Etymology and cognates. The word derives from Latin venerari, meaning to worship, through Old French venerer. It is related to English vener- forms found in venerable or venerate. In the Scandinavian languages, venerer has been integrated as a standard verb for reverence and worship.

Usage and examples. In Danish and Norwegian the present tense is venerer, with subject forms such as jeg venerer, du venerer, han venerer. Examples include: Danish: Han venerer sin gud. Norwegian: Hun venerer sine forfedre. These constructions show both religious and secular usage, depending on the context and object of reverence.

Register and alternatives. Venerer is relatively formal and can appear in religious texts, ceremonial language, or formal writing. In everyday language, speakers may choose beundre (to admire) or respektere (to respect) for less intense or less religious reverence. Related concepts in the languages include terms for honor, worship, and reverence.

See also: beundre, respektere, tilbe, ære.