Reverend

Reverend (Lat. reverendus, to be respected), a title of respect given to the clergy. In the Anglican Church deans are 'Very Reverend'; bishops, 'Right Reverend'; and archbishops, 'Most Reverend.' In Scotland the clergy in general are 'Reverend,' while it is the practice to apply 'Very Reverend' to the moderator of the General Assembly for the time being, and to the principal of a university, being a clergyman. The style Reverend is generally adopted by and given to the clergy of the different dissenting bodies; and in 1876 the Privy-council decided on appeal that there is no law restricting it to ministers of the Church of England. There have, however, been instances in which some dissenting ministers have repudiated it. See ADDRESS (FORMS OF).