respect Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (usually preceded by `in') a detail or point
    regard.
    • it differs in that respect
  2. noun the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
    regard; esteem.
    • it is held in esteem
    • a man who has earned high regard
  3. noun an attitude of admiration or esteem
    regard; esteem.
    • she lost all respect for him
  4. noun a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard
    deference.
    • his deference to her wishes was very flattering
    • be sure to give my respects to the dean
  5. noun behavior intended to please your parents
    obedience.
    • their children were never very strong on obedience
    • he went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes
  6. noun a feeling of friendship and esteem
    regard.
    • she mistook his manly regard for love
    • he inspires respect
  7. noun courteous regard for people's feelings
    deference; respectfulness.
    • in deference to your wishes
    • out of respect for his privacy
  8. verb regard highly; think much of
    prise; esteem; value; prize.
    • I respect his judgement
    • We prize his creativity
  9. verb show respect towards
    abide by; observe; honor; honour.
    • honor your parents!

WordNet

Re*spect" transitive verb
Etymology
L. respectare, v. intens. from respicere, respectum, to look back, respect; pref. re- re- + specere, spicere, to look, to view: cf. F. respecter. See Spy, and cf. Respite.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Respected; present participle & verbal noun Respecting
Definitions
  1. To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.
    Thou respectest not spilling Edward's blood. Shak.
    In orchards and gardens, we do not so much respect beauty as variety of ground for fruits, trees, and herbs. Bacon.
  2. To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor. "I do respect thee as my soul." Shak.
  3. To look toward; to front upon or toward. Obs.
    Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth. Sir T. Browne.
  4. To regard; to consider; to deem. Obs.
    To whom my father gave this name of Gaspar, And as his own respected him to death. B. Jonson.
  5. To have regard to; to have reference to; to relateto; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce. Syn. -- To regard; esteem; honor; revere; venerate.
Re*spect" noun
Etymology
L. respectus: cf. F. respect. See Respect, v., and cf. Respite.
Definitions
  1. The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
    But he it well did ward with wise respect. Spenser.
  2. Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
    Seen without awe, and served without respect. Prior.
    The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect. R. Nelson.
  3. pl. An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
  4. Reputation; repute. Obs.
    Many of the best respect in Rome. Shak.
  5. Relation; reference; regard.
    They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles. Tillotson.
  6. Particular; point regarded; point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects.
    Everything which is imperfect, as the world must be acknowledged in many respects. Tillotson.
    In one respect I'll be thy assistant. Shak.
  7. Consideration; motive; interest. Obs. "Whatever secret respects were likely to move them." Hooker.
    To the publik good Private respects must yield. Milton.
    Syn. -- Deference; attention; regard; consideration; estimation. See Deference.

Webster 1913