Adoration, n.
Etymology: [L. adoratio, fr. adorare: cf. F. adoration.]
1. The act of playing honor to a divine being; the worship paid to God; the act of addressing as a god. The more immediate objects of popular adoration amongst the heathens were deified human beings. Farmer.
2. Homage paid to one in high esteem; profound veneration; intense regard and love; fervent devotion.
3. A method of electing a pope by the expression of homage from two thirds of the conclave. [Pole] might have been chosen on the spot by adoration. Froude.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for adoration; he lists it under veneration.
Where he writes about it:
Adoration, in its full sense, is loftier than veneration, less restrained and awed than reverence, and with more of the spirit of direct, active, and joyful worship. — from veneration