Respect

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɹɪˈspÉ›kt/
• Rhymes: -É›kt
• Hyphenation: re + spect

Origin

From Middle English respect, from Old French respect, also respit

respite}, from Latin respectus ("a looking at, regard, respect"), perfect passive participle of respiciō ("look at, look back upon, respect"), from re- ("back") + speciō ("look at").

Full definition of respect

Noun

1. (uncountable) an attitude of consideration or high regardHe is an intellectual giant, and I have great respect for him.Syngman Rhee kept imprisoned the Dowager Queen Yun Empress Sunjeong of the Korean Empire for fear of the respect the people held for her.
2. (uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
3. (uncountable, always plural) Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.
4. (countable) a particular aspect of somethingThis year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.

Synonyms

• (attitude of consideration) deference, consideration, regard, fealty
• (good opinion) admiration, esteem, reverence, regard, recognition, veneration, honor
• (polite greetings, condolences)
• (aspect) aspect, facet, face, side, dimension

Antonyms

• disrespect (note: also has verb meaning)
• contempt
• disdain
• scorn
• contumely
• irreverence
• disparagement

Derived terms

• final respects
• in many respects
• last respects
• with respect to

Verb

1. to have respect for.She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
2. to have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or rightI respect your right to hold that belief, although I think it is nonsense.
3. to abide by an agreement.They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
4. To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
• ShakespeareThou respectest not spilling Edward's blood.
• Francis BaconIn orchards and gardens, we do not so much respect beauty as variety of ground for fruits, trees, and herbs.
5. (transitive, dated except in "respecting") To relate to; to be concerned with.
• J. LeeGlandulation respects the secretory vessels, which are either glandules, follicles, or utricles.
6. (obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
• Ben JonsonTo whom my father gave this name of Gaspar,
  And as his own respected him to death.
7. (obsolete) To look toward; to face.
• Sir Thomas BrownePalladius adviseth, the front of his house should so respect the South...

Antonyms

• dis
• disrespect

Usage notes

It is possible that a confusion between the different meanings of respect affects the attitudes of people and organizations. For example:

The freedom of religion implies that we must

respect protect the right of anyone to believe whatever they wish, to act within the law in accordance with their beliefs, and not to be discriminated against on account of their beliefs.

• Changes in the use of the word respect seems to have shifted our attitudes towards the quite different notion that we must behave

respectfully politely towards their beliefs, and not criticize them.

• This is a restriction on freedom of speech, and is inherently hypocritical—anyone with any view on religion must necessarily believe that those who believe differently are deluded, although their rights must be

respected observed.

The distinction between the two meanings can be shown by paraphrasing Voltaire: "I totally disrespect what you say, but absolutely respect your right to say it."

Derived terms

• respectability
• respectable
• respected
• respectful
• disrespect (note: also has noun meaning)

Interjection

1. (Jamaica) hello, hi

Anagrams

• scepter, sceptre, specter, spectre