† 1. Lack of reverence; irreverence. Obs.
1388. Wyclif, Ecclus. xxv. 29. The ire and vnreuerence of a womman is grete schenschipe.
1412. Yong, trans. Secreta Secret., 135. Wreth engendryth vnreuerence, Vnreuerence engendryth enemyte.
1491. Caxton, Vitas Patr. (W. de W., 1495), V. xiv. 343 b/2. Defaultes commysed in the unreuerence of god.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 237. That is the moost vnreuerence that may be done to god.
1597. Beard, Theatre God’s Judgem. (1612), 317. The disobedience, vnreuerence, & contempt of children towards their parents.
1649. W. Sclater, Comm. Malachy (1650), 27. Unreverence more displeaseth, than outward observance can please.
1684. Baxter, Answ. Theol. Dial., 16. Praying with the Hatt on, is … a sign of unreverence.
2. Used as the negative of REVERENCE sb. 6.
1823. W. H. Lyttleton, in Corr. Lady Lyttleton (1912), 248. The sooner I see your Un-Reverence a-shooting the better I shall be pleased.
