Vĕn'er-a-ble, a.
a. [Fr. vénérable, Pr. & Sp. venerable, Pg. veneravel, It. venerabile, Lat. venerabilis.]
Sense 1. Capable of being venerated; worthy of veneration or reverence; deserving of honor and respect; as, a venerable magistrate; a venerable parent.
He was a man of eternal sacrifice, and that is always venerable. De Quincey.
Sense 2. Rendered sacred by religious or other associations; to be regarded with awe and treated with reverence; as, the venerable walls of a temple or church.