Respect Means to Look Back At
Respect is admiration for someone's qualities, and also regard for their rights. The Latin means to look back, as at something worth a second glance.
Respect is admiration, or due regard for someone's rights and feelings. The Latin *respicere* means to look back at — respect is what makes you turn and look again. The phrase *in respect of* keeps a colder sense: concerning, with regard to.
- Admiration for qualities. *Respect for her judgement.*
- Due regard. *Respect for the law.*
- A particular aspect. *In this respect, they agree.*
- To treat with regard. *Respect the rules.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | respect | Mutual respect. |
| Plural | respects | Pay your respects. |
| Verb | respect | Respect their wishes. |
| Adjective | respectful | A respectful silence. |
| Adjective | respectable | A respectable score. |
How it is used in a sentence
- With respect, that is not what the report says.A phrase that usually precedes disagreement.
- He went to pay his respects.At a funeral.
- In respect of the second claim, we disagree.Formal: concerning.
Respectful, respectable, respective
- Respectful — showing respect
- Respectable — deserving respect, or fairly good
- Respective — belonging to each individually
- Respectively — in the order mentioned
- Disrespect — the opposite, and now also a verb
From Latin *respectus*, a looking back or regard, from *respicere*, from *re-* and *specere*, to look — the same root as *inspect*, *spectator* and *suspect*.
Respectful, respectable or respective?
Respectful shows respect, respectable deserves it, and respective means each in turn. They are three different words.
What does *respectively* mean?
In the order already given. The winners were Ali and Bea, in the sprint and the hurdles respectively.