Added 8 October 2026
respect
/ɹɪˈspɛkt/ noun
In Latin: respectus, observantia, reverentia Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about respect at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
An attitude of consideration or high regard; a feeling of admiration or esteem.
He is an intellectual giant, and I have great respect for him.
- Good opinion, honor, or admiration.
-
Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.
The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.
verb
-
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
-
To have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right.
I respect your right to hold that belief, although I think it is nonsense.
-
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
interjection
- hello, hi
Origin
From Middle English respect, from Old French respect, also respit (“respect, regard, consideration”), from Latin respectus (“a looking at, regard, respect”), perfect passive participle of respiciō (“look at, look back upon, respect”), from re- (“back”) + speciō (“to see”), equivalent to re- + -spect. Doublet of respite. The verb is derived from the noun.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)