respect

[ ri-spekt ]

noun

1. a particular, detail, or point (usually preceded by in ):

   to differ in some respect.

   Synonyms: matter, feature, regard

2. relation or reference:

   inquiries with respect to a route.

   Synonyms: connection, regard

3. esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability:

   I have great respect for her judgment.

   Synonyms: honor, homage, reverence, estimation

4. deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment:

   respect for a suspect's right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.

5. the condition of being esteemed or honored:

   to be held in respect.

6. respects, a formal expression or gesture of greeting, esteem, or friendship:

   Give my respects to your parents.

7. favor or partiality.

   Synonyms: preference, bias

8. Archaic. a consideration.

verb (used with object)

1. to hold in esteem or honor:

   I cannot respect a cheat.

   Synonyms: admire, consider, venerate, revere

2. to show regard or consideration for:

   to respect someone's rights.

   Synonyms: heed

3. to refrain from intruding upon or interfering with:

   to respect a person's privacy.

4. to relate or have reference to.

respect

/ rɪˈspɛkt /

noun

1. an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard
2. the state of being honoured or esteemed
3. a detail, point, or characteristic; particular

   he differs in some respects from his son

4. reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of , with respect to )
5. polite or kind regard; consideration

   respect for people's feelings

6. often plural an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one's respects )

verb

1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for

   to respect one's elders

2. to pay proper attention to; not violate

   to respect Swiss neutrality

3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly
4. archaic.
   to concern or refer to

Other Words From

• quasi-re·spected adjective
• under·re·spected adjective
• unre·spected adjective
• well-re·spected adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of respect¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English noun from Old French or directly from Latin respectus “action of looking back, consideration, regard,” equivalent to respec-, variant stem of respicere “to look back” ( re- “back” + specere “to look”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; verb from Latin respectus, past participle of respicere; re-

Word History and Origins

Origin of respect¹

C14: from Latin rēspicere to look back, pay attention to, from re- + specere to look

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in respect of, in reference to; in regard to; concerning.
2. in respect that, Archaic. because of; since.
3. pay one's respects,
   1. to visit in order to welcome, greet, etc.:

      We paid our respects to the new neighbors.

   2. to express one's sympathy, especially to survivors following a death:

      We paid our respects to the family.

4. with respect to, referring to; concerning:

   with respect to your latest request.

More idioms and phrases containing respect

see in regard (respect) to ; pay a call (one's respects) ; with all due respect .

Synonym Study

Respect, esteem, veneration imply recognition of personal qualities by approbation, deference, and more or less affection. Respect is commonly the result of admiration and approbation, together with deference: to feel respect for a great scholar. Esteem is deference combined with admiration and often with affection: to hold a friend in great esteem. Veneration is an almost religious attitude of deep respect, reverence, and love, such as we feel for persons or things of outstanding superiority, endeared by long association: veneration for one's grandparents, for noble traditions.

Related Words

• adhere to
• appreciate
• comply with
• heed
• honor
• recognize
• regard
• revere
• uphold
• value