Heed vs Reverence - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between heed and reverence

is that heed is careful attention while reverence is veneration; profound awe and respect, normally in a sacred context.

As verbs the difference between heed and reverence

is that heed is to mind; to regard with care; to take notice of; to attend to; to observe while reverence is to show reverence.

heed

English

Noun

(-)

Careful attention.

* 1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4

Then for a few minutes I did not pay much heed to what was said, being terribly straitened for room, and cramped with pain from lying so long in one place.

Usage notes

* Often used with give, pay or take.

Synonyms

* (careful attention) attention, notice, observation, regard

Verb

(en verb)

To mind; to regard with care; to take notice of; to attend to; to observe.

* Dryden

With pleasure Argus the musician heeds .

* 2013 September 23, Masha Gessen, " Life in a Russian Prison," New York Times (retrieved 24 September 2013):

Tolokonnikova not only tried to adjust to life in the penal colony but she even tried to heed the criticism levied at her by colony representatives during a parole hearing.

(archaic) To pay attention, care.

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.

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