The word "venerable" is spelled with three syllables: /ˈvɛnərəbəl/. The first syllable is pronounced like "ven" with a short "e" sound, the second syllable is pronounced like "er" with a schwa sound, and the third syllable is pronounced like "uh-buhl" with a short "u" sound. The word comes from the Latin word "venerabilis," meaning worthy of respect or admiration. It is commonly used to describe a person or thing that is respected, esteemed or honored.
Venerable is an adjective that describes a person, institution, or object that is respected and admired due to its age, wisdom, or traditional status. It suggests a high regard or reverence for something that has endured over time and has gained a distinguished or dignified reputation.
When applied to a person, venerable typically refers to someone who is advanced in age, notably wise, and highly respected for their knowledge or achievements. It carries connotations of honor, authority, and admiration. The term is often used when referring to esteemed religious figures, such as venerable monks or revered religious leaders.
In the context of institutions, venerable denotes a well-established and highly regarded organization or establishment that has withstood the test of time. This can include ancient universities, prestigious societies, or esteemed establishments known for their long-standing history and honored traditions.
Objects or things can also be described as venerable if they are considered valuable due to their significant age, cultural or historical importance, heritage, or craftsmanship. Examples may include ancient artifacts, sacred relics, or traditional cultural symbols that are held in great respect and reverence.
Overall, venerable suggests a sense of admiration and honor for beings or entities that have played a prominent role in history, gained deep wisdom, or commanded immense respect, leading to their esteemed and revered status within society.
Worthy of the highest respect; rendered sacred by religious associations or by age; aged.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "venerable" has its roots in Latin. It derives from the Latin word "venerabilis", which means "worthy of veneration or respect". This word is derived from the verb "venerari", meaning "to worship or revere". In Latin, "venerabilis" was used to describe someone or something that commanded utmost respect or admiration. Over time, the word was adopted into Old French as "venerable" and eventually made its way into English with the same meaning.