venerate
verb

- to honour or very much respect a person or thing

- to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference

Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster

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WORD ORIGIN

“Venerate" comes from the Latin verb venerari, which means "to worship" or "to reverence”, and derives from venus, which refers to love, desire, charm, or beauty. Venus was also the Roman goddess of love and beauty.

The word entered English in the mid-17th century and over time, while retaining its core meaning of profound respect, its usage expanded beyond strictly religious contexts to include secular reverence for people, principles, or institutions deemed worthy of deep respect.

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CULTURAL CODES

Although respect is a universal human value, veneration varies dramatically across cultures.

1. Greetings Vary Across Cultures
    Western cultures (e.g., U.S., Canada) prefer a firm handshake as a sign of confidence.
    Asian cultures (e.g., Japan, China) use a bow or a lighter handshake to show respect.
    Latin American & Mediterranean cultures often use a kiss on the cheek or a warm embrace as a greeting.

2. Communication Styles Differ
    Low-context cultures (e.g., U.S., Germany) value direct communication, clarity, and brevity.
    High-context cultures (e.g., Japan, China, Middle East) rely on indirect communication, reading between the lines, and maintaining harmony.

3. Business Etiquette is Culturally Specific
    Gift-giving is essential in Asian cultures but should be approached cautiously in Western business settings.
    Eye contact is a sign of confidence in the West but may be considered disrespectful or aggressive in some Asian and African cultures.
    Negotiation styles vary: Americans prefer fast-paced, results-driven talks, while Japanese negotiations emphasize patience, consensus, and relationship-building.

4. Personal Space Matters
    Latin American and Middle Eastern cultures favour closer proximity and touch during conversations.
    Scandinavian and Northern European cultures prefer more personal space and minimal physical contact.

5. Gestures are Interpreted Differently  
    Some gestures (e.g., a thumbs-up in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan is a rude, obscene gesture; as is the OK sign in Brazil, Turkey, and Venezuela.

6. Adapting to Local Customs Builds Trust
    Learning and respecting cultural customs enhances business relationships and avoids misunderstandings.

For a deeper dive into these fascinating differences, check out “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands” by Terri Morrison & Wayne A. Conaway.

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

admire, adore, adulate, apotheosize, beatify, bow before, bow down to, canonize, cherish, deify, dignify, elevate, esteem, exalt, extol, fete, give honor to, glorify, hallow, hero-worship, hold dear (in awe, in high esteem, in high regard), honour, idolize, kneel before, laud, lionize, look up to, pay homage to (respects to, tribute to), place on a pedestal, praise, regard highly, respect (deeply), revere, sanctify, show devotion to (reverence for), stand in awe (of), treasure, VENERATE, worship


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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“Most people have heroes or heroines who they VENERATE and hold in high esteem.”

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