Venerability
/ˌvɛnəˈræbɪlɪti/noun
The quality of being venerable, especially through age, dignity, or respect.
Did you know?Venerability ultimately comes from Latin *venerārī*, meaning “to worship or revere,” a word tied to *Venus* and the idea that awe itself could be a form of devotion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wen-
“to desire, strive for, love”
Latin
Latin
venus
“desire, charm, loveliness”
Latin
Latin
venerārī
“to worship, reverence, show deep respect”
Late Latin
Latin
venerābilis
“worthy of reverence”
Old French
Old French
venerable
“worthy of respect due to age or dignity”
Middle English
English
venerable
“worthy of honor or reverence”
Modern English
English
venerability
“the quality of being venerable”