reverenza

reverence, deep respect

noun reh-veh-REN-tsah Rare

Origin: From Latin reverentia, from revereri (to revere).

Also means

curtsy, bow

Usage Note

Reverenza can mean both the feeling of deep reverence and the physical gesture of a bow or curtsy — context distinguishes the two. The physical sense (fare una reverenza) is more common in historical or theatrical settings; in modern usage rispetto covers the emotional sense.

Examples

"I cortigiani fecero una reverenza al re."

Natural Translation

The courtiers bowed to the king.

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