Sooner than show a little reverence? (3)
I believe the answer is:
ere
'sooner than' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'a little reverence?' is the wordplay.
'a little' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ERE' is hidden in the letters of 'reverence'.
'show' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ere that I've seen before include "One who steals" , "Before (lit.)" , "Before (in poetry)" , "Before (in time)" , "Old prior" .)