Appearing at ease and smiling throughout her 20-minute star turn, Mrs. Dole spoke reverentially of her husband, describing him as a caring man who is too humble to sing his own praise.

The Governor speaks reverentially - and often - about the homespun virtues that his immigrant parents, Andrea and Immaculata, taught him behind the counter of their Queens grocery store.

Others spoke reverentially of his competitiveness, the trait that forced him to work tirelessly at honing skills that were already legendary.

His family speaks reverentially of New York, but that is not the city he knows, he said.

While his friends speak of Mr. Boudin reverentially, they also do so a bit reluctantly.

His admirers speak of him reverentially.

Finally he spoke reverentially in a soft voice.

Mr. Buchanan also speaks reverentially of a less-well-known role model, his professor of ethics at Georgetown University, from which he graduated in 1961.

The Red Sox and their rowdy fans speak reverentially about Pedro Martinez, especially in this delicate part of their dwindling season.

In California, Disney employees like Luis Fernandez - senior vice president, global creative, Disney consumer products - speak reverentially about this small stroke of genius.