Reverend means "deserving of respect, awe, love, or reverence"; reverent means showing these same feelings and emotions: "The Lincoln Memorial is a reverend symbol of this great American's contribution to his country. When they view it, most people look with reverent eyes and hearts." Reverend is primarily an adjective. For suggestions on using reverend as a title applying to the clergy, see PASTOR.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.