Venerate

verb (transitive)

/ˈven.ə.reɪt/

To regard with deep, reverential respect; to honour someone or something as hallowed, deeply revered, or worthy of profound deference.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A mature republic must learn to venerate its constitutional founders without sacralising their every word, lest reverence for the past harden into resistance to necessary reform.

Synonyms

reverehallowworshiphonouridoliseesteem

Antonyms

despisescorndisdainvilify

🌱 Word Family

veneration (n), venerable (adj), venerably (adv), venerator (n), venerating (v pres.p)

🔡 Root

Latin venerāri = to worship, pay homage; from vener-/venus = desire, charm; first English use c. 1623

📜 Etymology

From Latin veneratus, past participle of venerari "to worship, pay homage to, hold in awe," a derivative of vener-/venus "desire, charm" (the root of the goddess Venus). First English use c. 1623.

🧠 Memory Hook

Hidden in VENERATE is "VENUS" - the Roman goddess people worshipped; to venerate is to treat someone with Venus-like, worshipful reverence.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Rise of Indian Nationalism & the INC (...

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