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Earnest vs Reverence - What's the difference?

earnest | reverence |

As a proper noun earnest

is , an occasional spelling variant of ernest.

As a noun reverence is

reverence (deep respect).

earnest

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) ernest, eornest, from (etyl) eornest, eornost, .

Noun

(-)
  • Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
    • Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest .
  • * Shakespeare
    • given in earnest what I begged in jest
  • Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance); fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
    • Derived terms
    * earnestful * in earnest

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To be serious with; use in earnest.
  • * 1602 , Pastor Fido:
    • Let's prove among ourselves our armes in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) eornest, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Serious in speech or action; eager; urgent; importunate; pressing; instant.
  • Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavour; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; — used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers .
  • Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention .
  • Possessing or characterised by seriousness; strongly bent; intent.
    • an earnest disposition
  • Strenuous; diligent.
    • earnest efforts
  • Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; not trifling or feigned; important.
    • Derived terms
    * (l) * (l)

    Etymology 3

    Of uncertain origin; apparently related to (erres). Compare also (l).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.
  • * 1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 365:
    • But if all this was viewed by Gladstone and the Cabinet as an earnest of St Petersburg's future good intentions in Central Asia, then disillusionment was soon to follow.

    See also

    * Earnest * earnest money

    Anagrams

    * * * *

    reverence

    English

    Noun

  • Veneration; profound awe and respect, normally in a sacred context.
  • An act of showing respect, such as a bow.
  • * Goldsmith
    • Make twenty reverences upon receiving about twopence.
  • The state of being revered.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government is lost.
  • A form of address for some members of the clergy.
    • your reverence
  • That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I am forced to lay my reverence by.

    Derived terms

    * reverent (pos a) * revere (pos v) * reverently (pos adv)

    Verb

  • To show reverence.
    • ----