What is "save your reverence"

Reverence \Rev"er*ence\, n. [F. r['e]v['e]rence, L. reverentia. See Reverent.]

1. Profound respect and esteem mingled with fear and affection, as for a holy being or place; the disposition to revere; veneration.

   If thou be poor, farewell thy reverence.
   --Chaucer.

   Reverence, which is the synthesis of love and fear.
   --Coleridge.

   When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government islost.
   --Bacon.

   Note: Formerly, as in Chaucer, reverence denoted ``respect'' ``honor'', without awe or fear.

2. The act of revering; a token of respect or veneration; an obeisance.

   Make twenty reverences upon receiving . . . about twopence.
   --Goldsmith.

   And each of them doeth all his diligence To do unto the feast reverence.
   --Chaucer.

3. That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.

   I am forced to lay my reverence by.
   --Shak.

4. A person entitled to be revered; -- a title applied to priests or other ministers with the pronouns his or your; sometimes poetically to a father.
   --Shak.

   Save your reverence, Saving your reverence, an apologetical phrase for an unseemly expression made in the presence of a priest or clergyman.

   Sir reverence, a contracted form of Save your reverence.

   Such a one as a man may not speak of, without he say. ``Sir reverence.''
   --Shak.

   To do reverence, to show reverence or honor; to perform an act of reverence.

   Now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence.
   --Shak.

   Syn: Awe; honor; veneration; adoration; dread.

   Usage: Awe, Reverence, Dread, Veneration. Reverence is a strong sentiment of respect and esteem, sometimes mingled slightly with fear; as, reverence for the divine law. Awe is a mixed feeling of sublimity and dread in view of something great or terrible, sublime or sacred; as, awe at the divine presence. It does not necessarily imply love. Dread is an anxious fear in view of an impending evil; as, dread of punishment. Veneration is reverence in its strongest manifestations. It is the highest emotion we can exercise toward human beings. Exalted and noble objects produce reverence; terrific and threatening objects awaken dread; a sense of the divine presence fills us with awe; a union of wisdom and virtue in one who is advanced in years inspires us with veneration.