▪ I. respect, n.
(rɪˈspɛkt)
Also 3–6 respecte; Sc. 5, 9 respek, 9 respeck.
[ad. L. respect-us, f. ppl. stem of respicĕre: see next. Hence also F. respect, Sp. respecto, respeto, It. re-, rispetto, Pg. respeito.]
I. In phrases (usually) without article.
These are chiefly direct adoptions of L. uses, as habere respectum, respectu, sine respectu.
1. to have respect to: a. To have regard or relation to, or connexion with, something.
| c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. i. §21 Euerich of thise 12 Signes [of the zodiac] hath respecte to a certein parcelle of the body of a man and hath it in gouernance. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xix. vi. (Bodl. MS.), For euen fernes haþ alwey respect to ye vttermoste parties. 1541 Elyot Cast. Helthe K vj b, Sanguyne and fleumatyke men have more respecte unto drythe; coleryke and melancolye, unto moysture. 1551 Wilson Logicke (1580) 12 b, The ground of every thyng, and the ende whereunto it hath respecte or consideracion. 1652 Earl of Monmouth tr. Bentivoglio's Hist. Relat. 8 Other such like important affairs, all which have respect to the Generall Union. 1699 Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 134/2 This Spirit is opening, and has Respect to the Head and Womb. 1759 S. Fielding C'tess of Dellwyn II. 37 Perhaps Lady Dellwyn's restless..Movement might have more Respect to the shewing of her Shadow, than even herself. a 1842 Arnold Lect. Mod. Hist. (1845) 125 The limits..have, often, respect to no natural boundaries, but are purely arbitrary. 1877 M. Arnold Last Ess. on Church 105 They all have a useful end to serve, and have respect to that end solely. |
b. To have reference, to refer, to something.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 243 This latine diccion, præsens,..hath respecte vnto three tymes. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. 551 This name hath not alwaies a respect unto the generation of the sonne of God. 1608 W. Wilkes Sec. Mem. 13 Those rules..have respect more to your owne private, then reference to the publicke, good. 1641 L'Estrange God's Sabbath 126 The truth is, all ceremoniall laws have respect to the latitude of Jury. 1724 A. Collins Gr. Chr. Relig. 49 The expressions..have only in a secondary sense a respect to that destruction. 1819 G. S. Faber Dispens. (1823) I. 167 We may be sure, that it had respect to some special point of doctrine. 1849 S. R. Maitland Ess. 19, I will here offer only a single remark, which has respect to the use [etc.]. |
2. to have respect to: † a. To turn to, refer to, for information. Obs.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 115 As for other meruayles of the temple haue respecte to the bokes of Kynges. |
† b. To have an eye to, to give heed to, by looking at. Obs.
| a 1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. (1790) 45 This maistyr sittith in the halle, next unto these Henxmen, at the same boarde, to have his respecte unto theyre demeanynges. 1535 Coverdale Gen. iv. 4 The Lorde had respecte vnto Abell and to his offerynge. ― Eccles. xi. 4 He that regardeth y⊇ wynde, shal not sowe: and he that hath respecte vnto the cloudes, shal not reape. 1611 Bible Isa. xvii. 7 At that day shall a man looke to his Maker, and his eyes shall haue respect to the Holy one of Israel. |
c. To give heed, attention, or consideration to something; to have regard to; to take into account. Also const. ellipt. with that. (Cf. 13.)
| 1483 Lett. Rich. III & Hen. VII (Rolls) I. 45 To endent with his grace as it shall mowe be best accorded betwene thaim, havyng respecte as well to the ease of this tymes as to othere presidentes. c 1500 Lancelot 381 To dremys, sir, shuld no man have Respek. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. (1886) 7 Whosoever shall onllie have respect to the constancie of their words uttered, would easilie beleeve they were true indeed. 1625 Purchas Pilgrims II. vii. vi. 1125 But hauing respect that night began to come on,..we tooke in our sailes. 1688 Holme Armoury iii. 339/1 Of Weights, I have had respect to that of Troy only. 1864 J. H. Newman Apol. App. 84 In an oath one ought to have respect to the intention of the party swearing. |
d. To have in view; to allude to.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 59 To this had the poete Horatius respecte, in thus saiyng. 1583 Fulke Def. Trans. Script. (Parker Soc.) 566 What folly it is to think our translators had respect to your popish devotions, by the name of ‘devotion’! |
| 1824 Heber Life Jer. Taylor p. cxxxviii, He tells us that Balaam, when he prayed to die the death of the righteous, had only respect to length of days. 1873 J. H. Newman Idea Univ. 328 When I speak of the formation of a Catholic school of writers, I have respect principally to the matter of what is written. |
3. † a. in respect of, in comparison with. Obs.
Common in the 16th and 17th centuries.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 84 Þe sunne bemez [were] bot blo & blynde, In respecte of þat adubbement. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 149 Brennynge flammes.., in respecte of [L. respectu] the heete of whom this fyre materialle is but as warme warm water unto scaldynge water. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 14 Fewe of them or none in respecte of the hole miscaryed. 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 639 Hector was but a Troyan in respect of this. 1621 Lady M. Wroth Urania 85 His spirit is so much greater, as commonly a mans is, in respect of a womans. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 152 A well of indifferent good Water, at least in respect of the other Waters of Mecha. 1749 G. Lavington Enthus. Meth. & Papists ii. (1754) 14 Their respect to him, he says, is nothing in respect of what they ought to shew. 1751 R. Paltock P. Wilkins xxii, What can she bring from it, says I to myself, in respect of what must be left behind? |
† b. So in (or to) the respect of. Obs.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 77 That the altitude and eminence scholde be schewede excellente, and incomparable in the respecte of [L. respectu] oure places habitable. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) 4 b, I write to thee but littell to the respecte of that I would write. 1550 Cranmer Defence 87 He is but a yonge newe author in the respect of those which we haue brought in for our party. |
c. Also in respect to.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 7 Englande, whiche is but a small yle and a lytell corner in respecte to y⊇ hole worlde. 1690 Child Disc. Trade (1698) 218 The productions of the Spanish-West-India commodities are so inconsiderable in respect to the English. 1771 Luckombe Hist. Print. 130 Printing at this city was early, in respect to other places in this kingdom. 1904 H. James Golden Bowl I. i. 11 She had struck him, in respect to the beautiful world, as one of the beautiful, the most beautiful things. |
† d. in respect, in comparison. Obs.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 148 Bondemenne are in respecte and comparison, the feete of their maisters. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. iii. 513 What will remaine? Ah! nothing (in respect). 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iii. iii. (1651) 326 That all-commanding country is possessed by petty Princes, Rome a small Village in respect. |
4. in respect (of): a. With reference to; as relates to or regards. † Also with the.
| 1530 Tindale Answ. More (Parker Soc.) 175 The axe doth nothing in respect of the hand that heweth, save receive. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. iii. i. 327 Item, shee is not to be fasting in respect of her breath. 1620 R. Brathwait Five Senses in Archaica (1815) II. vi. Table, He aggravates..the misery of this life in respect of Sin. 1654 R. Codrington tr. Iustine ix. 139 This day did set a period to all Greece, in the respect of their antient liberty. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man i. Pref., The great Freedom which I have used in respect of all Orders of Men. 1792 Osbaldiston Brit. Sportsman 51 Bedding in respect of horses and other cattle, denotes straw or litter spread under them to lie on. 1825 Moore Sheridan I. 236 In respect of mere style, too, the workmanship of..Sheridan is well worth..attention. 1868 Visct. Strangford Select. (1869) II. 240 These letters are undated both in respect of time and place. |
† b. In view of, by reason or because of. Obs.
| 1583 Fulke Def. Trans. Script. xviii. 473 Oecumenius,..a Doctour of as little authoritie, as anye other, in respect of the late season, in whyche he liued. 1632 Lithgow Trav. ii. 75 Serigo..was aunciently called..Schotera, in respect of the fine Marble that is got there. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. ii. vi. 68 This Quadrant..I hold to be as necessary an Instrument as Seamen can use, in respect of its plainness, and brevity. 1738 tr. Guazzo's Art Convers. 132 Their Juniors do them Honour in Respect of their being older. |
c. Considering, seeing, since (that).
| 1580 Fulke Dang. Rock xii. Wks. (Parker Soc.) II. 319 Rather in respect that he had greater cause to love Christ. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. iii. ii. 17 In respect it is in the fields, it pleaseth mee well. a 1641 Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. (1642) 105 Nor was it conferred upon him by..Darius Histaspes, in respect that he was heire apparant unto the former Kings of Judah. 1649 Evelyn Diary & Corr. (1852) III. 53 How to prevent future ruin, in respect some of us are for an universal toleration: others, for English freedom only? 1876 Gladstone Glean. (1879) II. 350 To a bad clergyman this may be an advantage, in respect that it allows him to remain bad, and to grow worse with impunity. |
† d. In case. Obs. rare—1.
| 1597–8 Bacon Ess., Of Expense, Some forbeare it not vpon negligence alone, but doubting to bring themselues into Melancholy in respect they shall finde it broken. |
e. With respect to something. (Cf. 7 b.) rare.
| 1841 Latham Eng. Lang. ii. x. 178 Unless we admit the supposition in respect to g, that has been indicated in respect to c. Ibid. 184. |
† 5. for (the) respect of: a. For the sake of, because of. b. In respect of. Obs.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 95 To geue a mocke to the feloe that stood so highly in his owne conceipte for the respecte of suche trifleyng bagguage. 1549 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 25 Who wyll susteyne any damage for the respecte of a publique commoditie? 1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. ii. 315 And verily his prophecy was to true for respect of that which followed. |
6. without respect: † a. Without discrimination or consideration. Obs.
| c 1540 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden Soc. No. 36) 211 Thus the barbarus people, withowte respecte, polluted bothe thinggs divine & humaine. 1594 Bedingfield tr. Machiavelli's Florentine Hist. (1595) 203 Murthering both guiltie and unguiltie people without respect. |
b. Without consideration of, or regard to, something. Also const. ellipt. with what.
| 1549 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 19 A fayth that maketh a man rightuous wythout respecte of workes. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. ii. 7 Onely for honour and for high regard, Without respect of richesse or reward. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 38 The Emperour..adventured his owne person, without respect what danger might thereof ensue. 1651 Jane Image Unbr. 59 Iconoclastes heapes up untruths without respect to the apparence of their detection. |
7. with respect: † a. Relatively; in due proportion. Obs. rare.
| 1597 J. King On Jonas (1618) 224 In part, not wholly; with respect, not absolutely. 1646 Earl of Monmouth tr. Biondi's Civ. Wars iv. 3 Their governours..ought to make use thereof alternatly, and with respect, but not excesse. |
b. With reference or regard to something.
| 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 409 After this, the Colony enjoy'd a perfect Tranquillity with Respect to the Savages. 1765 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. (ed. 2) 32 With respect to the first of these questions, there are three opinions. 1824 Sir J. Macintosh Sp. 15 June, Wks. 1846 III. 439 With respect..to the State Papers laid before us, I see nothing in them to blame or to regret. 1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §12 A body..changes its state with respect to heat. |
† c. In regard of something. Obs. rare—1.
| 1642 Eaton Honey-c. Free Justif. 472 Not drawne thereto with the terrours of the Law, or hireling-like with respect of our owne profit. 1721 Bradley Philos. Acc. Wks. Nat. 162 At a vast Distance from one another, with respect of Magnitude. |
II. 8. † a. An aspect of a thing; a relative property or quality; a relationship. Obs. (Common in 17th c.)
| 1495 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. (W. de W.) iii. v. 52 The soule that is one is callyd by dyuers names in dyuers respectes and highte anima while he is in the body and yeuyth it lyfe. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 104 [The secretary] is at the pleasure and appointment of another to be commanded, and being in a second respect as a friend [etc.]. 1599 B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. iv. v, Things of consequence must haue their respects, where, how, and to whom. 1653 H. More Conject. Cabbal. (1662) 3 The logos,..in which all ideas and their respects are contained. a 1670 Rust Disc. Truth (1682) 157 If there be no immutable respects in things, but Just and Unjust..are respects made be meer arbitrarious Will. 1748 G. White Serm. (MS.), Doth Relation to us alter the Case, and that Respect alone impart worth? 1753 Johnson Adventurer No. 107 ¶5 Whatever has various respects, must have various appearances of good and evil, beauty or deformity. |
b. A particular, a point, a detail. Only in phrases with in, as in all, many, or some respects, in this respect, etc.
| 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osorius 179 Let us compare with this blynd Philosophy of Cicero, the Divinity of Osorius in all respectes as bussardlyke. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 76 Dooing the dutie of a good shepheard in euerie respect. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. ¶15 Neuer scorne those that be not in all respects so complete as they should bee. 1671 Milton P.R. iv. 521 Yet thee I thought In some respect far higher so declar'd. 1736 Butler Anal. i. i. Wks. 1874 I. 30 Death may, in some sort, and in some respects, answer to our birth. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. iv. iii, She shall..be her own Mistress in that Respect for the future. 1800 Colquhoun Comm. Thames Pref., The Subject is in many respects new. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 463, I should like to know in what respect the argument is not sufficient. |
9. A relationship of one person or thing to another; a reference to some thing or person. a. In phr. to have a (..) respect to.
| 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 12 Relatives are those whiche.., as a man would saie, have a mutual respect one to an other. 1587 Golding De Mornay xvi. (1617) 286 Punishment and sin haue a mutuall respect one to another, as a sore and a salue. 1681 Belon New Myst. Physick 12 The Fourth thing to be observed, has a Respect to the certainty of the Cure. a 1706 Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) II. 29 The observance of the seventh day had a peculiar respect to the Israelites. 1710 Berkeley Princ. Hum. Knowl. i. §140 It having a like respect to other spirits that blueness or heat by me perceived has to those ideas perceived by another. 1816 Faber Orig. Pagan Idol. II. 288 The pretended nurses of Jupiter have all a similar respect to the deluge. 1850 M{supc}Cosh Div. Govt. iii. i. (1874) 322 A worldly morality which has no respect to God. |
b. In other uses. Also with betwixt.
| 1607 J. Norden Surv. Dial. i. 12 An indifferent Surueyor, namely, such a one as carieth equall respects to Lord and Tenant. 1644 Digby Nat. Soul 359 We shall find, that all they do consist in, or of certaine respects betwixt two thinges. 1729 Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 13 The very terms..imply a relation or respect of parts to each other. 1748 G. White Serm. (MS.), To be careful of our respects to him and careless of those to men, is to be defective in one half of our Religion. |
† 10. a. Relationship; reference. Obs.
| 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. v. i. 99 Ner. It is your musicke Madame of the house. Por. Nothing is good I see without respect, Methinkes it sounds much sweeter then by day! 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. iii. iv. i. iii, Whether he can produce respect without a foundation or terme. 1662 Playford Skill Mus. iii. (1674) 34 Relation, or reference, or respect not harmonical. |
† b. Bearings, results. Obs. rare—1.
| 1692 Dryden St. Euremont's Ess. 14 The First Wars of the Romans were of very great Importance in their respect, but little remarkable. |
III. † 11. A respite. Obs. Cf. respett n.
| c 1440 Alph. Tales 221 And þan sho askid of þe law a respecte, & had it grawntid. 1533 in Marsden Sel. Pl. Crt. Admiral. (Selden Soc.) II. 65 All other letters of grace, respectes, and other impetracions of favour. 1567 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 540 Eschetis of gudis,..respectis, remissionis, supersedereis. |
† 12. a. Appearance, aspect. Obs. rare.
| 1582 Batman Barth. De P.R. iv. x, There is holownes of eyen with moyst respect [L. cum humido aspectu]. 1615 Sandys Trav. (1627) 216 Tyrus, is now no other than an heape of ruines; yet have they a reuerent respect. |
† b. A view; a backward survey. Obs. rare.
| 1542 Boorde Dyetary ii. (1870) 235, I had rather not to buyld..a howse, than to buylde one without a good respecte in it, to it, and from it. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Wales iv. (1662) 7 The Welsh travailers, when they have climed up a hill,..rain their horses backward, and stand still a while, taking a prospect (or respect rather) of the Country they have passed. |
13. a. Regard, consideration. Const. of or to.
| c 1530 Crt. of Love xxiii, No respecte hauyng what was beste to done. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia ii. (1895) 305 The respecte of euery mans priuate commoditie. 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 275 Then, childish fear, avaunt!.. Respect and reason, wait on wrinkled age! 1605 A. Wotton Answ. 118 They will do nothing, but with especial respect to themselves. 1606 G. W[oodcock] Hist. Ivstine v. 25 The Athenians..tooke more respect to their safety, then care of their honour. 1652 Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. 25 Wee shall next see what respect hath been had unto the Sea, either in the very first or any more antient Distribution or Division of things. 1791 Cowper Iliad xix. 314 For no respect of amorous desire, Or other purpose, have I lay'd mine hand On fair Brisëis. 1814 Cary Dante, Par. xxii. 35, I will make answer even to the thought, Which thou hast such respect of. a 1834 Coleridge Lit. Rem. (1839) IV. 396 Have no respect to what nation a man is of. |
b. Discrimination, partiality, or favour in regard of persons or things. (Cf. person n. 13.)
| 1535 Coverdale Prov. xxiv. 23 It is not good, to haue respecte of any personne in iudgment. 1558 Goodman How to Obey 170 Gods vengeance, which he with out respecte of persones wil powre..vpon all transgressors. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. ii. iii. 98 Is there no respect of place, persons, nor time in you? 1641 Thorndike Govt. Ch. 38 We see the reason why there is no respect of Timothy, in his instructions to the elders of Ephesus. 1837 H. Martineau Soc. Amer. III. 33 Those who are brought up to have any respect of occupations,—to regard a grocer as beneath a banker. 1874 Sidgwick Meth. Ethics iii. v. 239 It is of the highest importance that judges and administrators should never be persuaded by money or otherwise to shew ‘respect of persons’. |
† c. Heed, care, attention. Obs.
| 1557 North Gueuara's Diall Pr. (1568) 23 Women must take great respect, least they geve straungers occasion to speake of them. 1596 Bacon Max. & Use Com. Law Pref., When men shall carry a respect not to descend into any course that is corrupt. 1615 W. Lawson Country Housew. Gard. (1626) 22 At the setting of your plants you must haue such a respect, that the distance of them [etc.]. 1647 Lilly Chr. Astrol. clxvii. 723 Having care and respect to give February 29. dayes in the Leap-yeer. |
† d. pl. Attention or consideration given to more than one point or matter. Obs.
| 1612 Bacon Ess., Of Ceremonies & Respects, It is losse also in businesse to be too full of respects, or to be to curious in obseruing times and opportunities. 1640 E. Dacres tr. Machiavelli's Prince 205 We see that men..proceed therein diversly; some with respects, others more bold. 1656 Evelyn Mem. (1857) III. 73, I shall,..I hope, prevail with you that I may have the honour to see you again at my poor villa, when my respects are less diverted. |
† e. An opinion or view. Obs.
| 1662 Gerbier Princ. 28, I must proceed and conclude with my humble respects concerning Palaces of..Princes. |
14. a. A consideration; a fact or motive which assists in, or leads to, the formation of a decision; an end or aim. (Very common in 17th c.)
| 1549 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 37 He was not moued wyth these worldlie respectes, with these prudente considerations. 1595 Shakes. John iii. i. 318, I muse your Maiesty doth seeme so cold, When such profound respects doe pull you on. 1632 Brome Northern Lass i. vii, What Respect Moves you to make this strong disswasion? 1673 Temple Observ. United Prov. Wks. 1720 I. 26 These Respects gave the first Rise to a Treaty of Peace. 1705 Addison Italy 511 The same Respect that made him quit this Government, might at another time tempt him to give up that of Neuf-Chatel. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) IV. 64 All the honours and worldly respects, for which I formerly risked my life. 1846 Trench Mirac. i. (1862) 105 Higher respects than those of flesh and blood moved Him to the choosing of the present moment. |
b. With for. (Common c 1550–1650.)
| 1536 Cromwell in Merriman Life & Lett. (1902) II. 16 Whiche..compelled his Maiestie to staye in the graunting of any contribucion for the respectes expressed. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) p. vi, I resolved (for sundrie iust respectes) to begin first with that Shire. 1632 Lithgow Trav. v. 221 He saw the guide..send a Moore before him, for what respect he knew not. 1662 Bargrave Pope Alex. VII (1867) 36 At his return he was for several respects promoted to a Cardinal's cap. |
IV. † 15. ? Dread, fear. Obs.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 147, Y lawde and commende thy manhode that thou dredes God moore then me, and the respecte of hevyn moore then thy cuntre. |
16. a. Deferential regard or esteem felt or shown towards a person or thing.
| 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. i. (1589) 680 We have the temples in great respect and reverence. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, i. iii. 8 That Title of respect, Which the proud soule ne're payes, but to the proud. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. ¶1 Zeale to promote the common good..deserueth certainly much respect and esteeme. 1690 Temple Ess., Heroic Virtue Wks. 1720 I. 205 So great a Respect, or rather Veneration, is paid to this wise and admirable Constitution. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 406 ¶1 A Friend, for whom he has a very great Respect. 1788 Gibbon Decl. & F. xlii. IV. 220 Some voluntary respect was yielded to age and valour. 1839 Keightley Hist. Eng. II. 35 Her character remains the object of respect to all parties. 1878 R. W. Dale Lect. Preach. viii. 222 There is a certain measure of respect due from the people to their pastor. |
b. The condition or state of being esteemed or honoured.
| 1597–8 Bacon Ess., Of Ceremonies & Respects, Not to vse Ceremonies at all, is to teach others not to vse them againe, and so diminish his respect. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts, N.T. 32 For they are in so high and deare respect with God. 1655–60 Stanley Hist. Philos. (1701) 78/2 What wants reason, wants respect. 1772 Junius Lett. lxviii. (1788) 343 You stand degraded from the respect and authority of your office. 1820 Byron Mar. Fal. v. iii, Youth without honour, age without respect. 1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. ii. (1875) 83 By which he may be..held in respect when he himself is inclined to take liberties. |
† c. Rank, standing; station in life. Obs.
| 1601 Holland Pliny I. 106 The townes of any respect be Dædala and Crya, peopled onely with banished persons. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. i. ii. 59, I haue heard, Where many of the best respect in Rome..Haue wish'd, that Noble Brutus had his eyes. 1651 tr. De-las-Coveras' Don Fenise 295 Although it was night, I saw that which made me judge her to be a person of respect. |
| transf. 1652 Culpepper Eng. Physic. (1656) 83 The greater wild Daisie is a Wound Herb of good respect. |
† d. a coach (or litter) of respect, ? one used on occasions of state. Obs.
| 1676 Lady A. Fanshawe Memoir (1829) 281 Then a coach of respect, lined with cloth of gold, mixed with green. Then a litter of respect, lined with the same stuff. |
e. with (all due) respect and varr.: a polite phr. expressing proper deference, freq. used before stating (with some insistence) disagreement with another person's views. Also const. to.
| 1826 M. R. Mitford Our Village II. 207 [My greyhound] is sliding her snake-like head into my hand, at once to invite the caress which she likes so well, and to intimate with all due respect that it is time to go home. 1923 C. Mackenzie Parson's Progress xviii. 257 With all respect to the gentleman at the back of the hall who passed that remark, I tell him that if you think you can do anything with your review.., you're mistaken. 1977 Belfast Tel. 28 Feb. 6/4 With respect, I feel that the views expressed by Lord MacDermott are unbalanced from the very isolated position of a judge who, by necessity of office, must lead a somewhat cloistered life. 1977 Church Times 22 July 10/1 It is, with the greatest respect to His Grace, very little use to say that the book has ‘caused more hubbub than it is worth’. 1978 Ibid. 25 Aug. 11/3 With all due respect to your three correspondents, I do not think they have answered M. J. Feaver's question (August 11). 1978 Times 13 Mar. 19/4 With great respect, this well-intentioned suggestion seems almost wholly devoid of merit. 1980 J. Follett Churchill's Gold ii. i. 86 With respect, admiral, we should not be building boats for any other purpose than for sinking enemy shipping. |
17. pl. † a. Deferential or courteous attentions; actions expressive of respect for a person; politenesses, courtesies. Obs.
| 1612 Bacon Ess., Of Praise, Some praises come of good wishes and respects, which is a forme due in ciuility to Kings and great persons. 1648 Gage West Ind. 25 We..gave hearty thanks to the Indians for their kind respects unto us. a 1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 46 The Promoters of the petitions were entertained with great respects. 1707 Refl. upon Ridicule 352 The Science of Respects, is, as I may say, the Soul of Society. |
† b. Deferential salutations. Obs. rare—1.
| a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xii. §101 When they had made their several respects, and came to the King, he lightly moved his hat, and bade them cover. |
c. In complimentary formulæ, usually conveying a message expressive of regard or esteem.
| c 1645 Howell Lett. iv. xxvi, So with my very kind respects to my Sister, I rest Your loving brother, J. H. a 1657 R. Loveday Lett. (1663) 35, I pray do my due respects to those you think my friends. 1729 Swift Let. to Gay 19 Mar., You are the first to present my most humble respects to the duchess of Queensberry. 1780 in Nichols Anecd. (1815) IX. 263 The Lord Chancellor presents his best respects to Mr. Thicknesse. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia vii. ix, Pray give my respects to him. 1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger ii. iv. 77 And give my respects to the Lieutenant's lady. 1894 Raymond Sam & Sabina x, ‘Here's luck!’ said Ashford. ‘My respects!’ drank Christopher. |
d. to pay one's respects, to show polite attention to a person by presenting oneself or by making a call.
| 1668 G. Etherege She wou'd if she cou'd i. i, If I can I will slip away, and pay my respects to your lady. 1734 tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. (1827) V. 2 The Gauls..came to pay their respects to that general. 1771 Smollett Humph. Cl. (1815) 188 When he came home, he expressed great eagerness to pay his respects to his master. 1833 H. Martineau Brooke Farm i. 2, I generally choose this road, and pay my respects to the rookery before doing the same to the lady. 1886 W. J. Tucker E. Europe 116, I came out here the day before yesterday to pay my respects to the Count. |
V. 18. Comb., as respect-inspiring, respect-worthy adjs.
| 1876 Mrs. Oliphant Phœbe, Junior xxxviii, His clergyman,..an awful and respect-inspiring personage. 1833 Carlyle Diderot, Misc. Ess. (1888) V. 9 In this French Sheffield, Diderot's father was a cutler,..a much respected and respect-worthy man. 1889 ‘Mark Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xiii. 154 They were about all that was useful, or worth saving, or respectworthy. 1915 A. Quiller-Couch Nicky-Nan xxiii. 296 A neighbours' quarrel, and between folks I know to be so respectworthy. 1973 Times Lit. Suppl. 7 Sept. 1024/4 Horatio Parker (who was none the less respect-worthy, never mean or petty). |
▪ II. respect, v.
(rɪˈspɛkt)
[f. L. respect-, ppl. stem of respicĕre to look (back) at, regard, consider, or ad. the frequentative of this, respectāre. Cf. F. respecter (16th c.), Sp. respe(c)tar, Pg. respeitar, It. rispettare.]
† 1. trans. To respite; to put off, neglect. Obs.
| 1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII, c. 16 § 2 Soondrye soomes of money been respected to many persones, whiche haue ben Shirieffes..vpon theyre accomptes. 1549 Duke of Somerset in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) II. 292 We..addressed our letters to you for due execution to be don..upon Paget..: which, as we be informed, is not don but respected. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage 194 If he respect washing after these, if he be learned, he shall forget his learning. 1620 J. Wilkinson Coroners & Sherifes 10 There they respected execution of him to the intent they might procure his pardon. |
† 2. To regard, consider, take into account. Obs. (In common use c 1560–1660.)
| 1548 Geste Pr. Masse 76 Is it not a deadely remorse to respect the worthy clerkes in thys realme and ye greate number of them and yet not one to wryte agaynste hyr? 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osorius 139 Not bycause it is of itselfe nothyng (if you respect the substaunce of it). 1606 G. W[oodcock] Hist. Ivstine ii. 13 For if ye respect the king, he had a great deale more wealth then valour. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. i. xvii. 45 The Kidney is shaped..like an Asarum leaf, if you respect the plane surface. |
† b. To heed, pay attention to; to observe carefully. Obs. (Frequent c 1575–1630.)
| 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 317 b, I respected nothinge els, than that..I might enjoy the inheritance of the heavenly kingdome. 1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Fam. Love 16 b, The cunnyng Archer respecteth more to hitte the marke, than the curious watchyng of the clouen ayre. 1614 Meriton Chr. Mans Assuring-ho. 34 He little respecteth where he clappes himselfe downe. 1662 Playford Skill Mus. (1674) 29 Respect not the fourth below, but look to your fifth above. |
† c. To regard, consider, look upon, as being of a certain kind, etc. Obs. rare.
| 1592 Marlowe Massacre Paris ii. v, Her gory colours of revenge, Whom I respect as leaves of boasting green. 1598–9 B. Jonson Case Altered iv. ii, To whom my father gave this name of Gasper, And as his own respected him to death. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. xiii. lxxviii. 322 Corruption not Production should we Euelnesse respect. |
3. To be directed to; to refer or relate to; to deal or be concerned with.
| 1563 Homilies ii. Fasting i. (1859) 284 For, when it [sc. fasting] respecteth a good end, it is a good work. 1598 Bacon Sacr. Medit., Miracles, His doctrine respected the soule of man. 1663 Patrick Parab. Pilgr. xxviii. (1668) 323 The greatest wits want perspicacity in things that respect their own interest. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist. Pref., The two parts of Knowledge which in a more eminent degree respect the Common Good and Convenience of Mankind. 1759 Johnson Rasselas xxx, Even love and hatred respect the past, for the cause must have been before the effect. 1819 G. S. Faber Dispens. (1823) I. 183 The primary question..would obviously respect the nature of that serpent. 1866 Reader July 676 The remaining part of the book respects man's position. |
b. In pres. pple. With reference or regard to.
| 1732 Pope Ess. Man i. 51 Respecting Man, whatever wrong we call, May, must be right, as relative to all. 1782 Paine Let. Abbé Raynel (1791) 73 Respecting Canada, one or other of the two following will take place. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. xii. 95 He could not agree with him respecting the price. 1874 Green Short Hist. ii. §8. 103 The legislation respecting ecclesiastical jurisdiction. |
† c. To resemble. Obs. rare—1.
| 1604 T. Wright Passions (1620) 219 The heart..of man triangularly respecteth the blessed Trinitie; every corner a Person, and the solide substance your common essence. |
† d. To relate to, as regards the effect or result produced. Obs.
| 1614 Latham Falconry (1633) 95 This scowring..resisteth rottennesse, also it greatly respecteth the head. 1655 Culpepper, etc. Riverius Printer to Rdr., For the use of these Books respects chiefly the Poor of this Nation. 1700 Floyer Cold Baths i. ii. 36 Moistening respects the Skin, but heating and cooling shews the Effects it has on the Humours. |
4. To treat or regard with deference, esteem, or honour; to feel or show respect for.
| 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 34 b, He did not one whit respecte the highnes or dignitie of any parson. 1595 Daniel Civ. Wars iii. xxxviii, Which meaner wights of trust, and credit bare Not so respected could not looke t' effect. 1612 Bacon Ess., Fortune, Fortune is to bee honoured and respected, and it be but for her daughters, Confidence and Reputation. 1657 W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc ii. 181, I can truly bear him witness, that he most dearly respected them all. 1727 Swift Let. to Gay 27 Nov., I always loved and respected him very much. 1780 Cowper Nightingale & Glow-worm 33 Respecting in each other's case The gifts of nature and of grace. 1828 D'Israeli Chas. I, II. 298 Who could imagine that such a patriot would not be respected even by his enemies? 1879 R. K. Douglas Confucianism iv. 96 If he should be unable to govern with dignity, the people will not respect him. |
| refl. 1784 Cowper Task ii. 377 To such I render more than mere respect, Whose actions say that they respect themselves. a 1862 Buckle Misc. Wks. (1872) I. 112 When any class of men cease to be respected by the nation, they soon cease to respect themselves. |
† b. To esteem, prize, or value (a thing). Obs.
| 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. i. ii. 134 Shall these papers lye, like Tel-tales here? If you respect them; best to take them vp. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage vii. xii. (1614) 712 Iron they had not: Gold they respected not. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 177 They did respect gemmes more than to mangle them with cutting. |
c. To treat with consideration; to refrain from injuring or interfering with; to spare.
| 1621 T. Williamson tr. Goulart's Wise Vieillard 146 Death respects neither babe, young nor old, man nor woman, rich nor poore. a 1721 Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) I. 4 Who..respectest none, And neither spar'st the laurel, nor the crown! 1745 Pococke Descr. East II. 152 In the excursions which they make for pleasure they are commonly respected by the Arabs. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 17 Lewis had, like James, repeatedly promised to respect the privileges of his Protestant subjects. 1877 A. B. Edwards Up Nile xii. 316 A dynasty that not only lightened the burdens of the poor but respected the privileges of the rich. |
† d. To toast; to drink the health of. Obs. rare.
| 1708 J. Philips Cyder i. 519 Whoever tastes, let him with grateful Heart Respect that ancient loyal House. 1766 A. Nicol Poems 50 (E.D.D.), Good ale and usque ga'd about In healths, as they respected Their friends that day. |
† 5. To expect, anticipate, look (for). Obs. rare.
| 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 285 b, He would in no wyse assente to that,..& herein respected no daunger. 1601 B. Jonson Poetaster ii. i, Gaine sauours sweetly from any thing; He that respects to get, must relish all commodities alike. 1623 Pemble Wks. (1635) 1, I verily suppose there is none among you, who respects to heare his owne praises; if there be, I come not hither to give satisfaction to such. |
6. a. Her. Of charges: To look at, face (esp. each other).
| 1562 Legh Armory (1597) 46 A Lyon..is returned from his pray and taketh his rest, respecting his enemies. 1610 J. Guillim Heraldry iii. xxii. (1611) 169 Fishes are borne hauriant, both respecting each other and also endorsed. 1688 Holme Armoury iii. 28/2 A Philip and Mary shilling hath a Man and Womans head respecting each other. 1780 Edmondson Heraldry II. Gloss. s.v., When beasts, birds or fish, are placed in armory to face each other, they are, by some mod. Heralds, termed respecting each other. 1847 [see respectant 1]. |
† b. To regard; to look upon. Obs.
| 1567 Trial Treas. (1850) 28 God doth so guide the hartes of the juste, That they respect chiefly the celestiall treasure. 1596 Thanksgiving in Liturg. Serv. Q. Eliz. (1847) 668 Graciously respecting us in the merits of thy dear Son. 1620 E. Blount Horæ Subs. 115 Wise men will not view such persons but with scorn, nor respect them but with dis⁓esteem. |
† c. To look towards (a certain direction); to face (a specified place). Obs.
| 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 4 Upon the south side it respecteth Germanie. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 795 That side of Malta which respecteth Sicilia, hath in it many good harbours. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. i. xvii. 47 With their sharp and lunary part they respect the kidneys. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) I. 374 The Rooms that respect each particular Coast,..as those Rooms..that regard the East. a 1734 North Lives (1826) II. 104 The latter stands on a sharp cliff respecting the north. |
d. intr. To face or look to or towards. rare.
| 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. iv, These Ilands by a small diuision of the Sea, respect towardes the South and North. 1612 Brerewood Lang. & Relig. (1635) 96 The..east side, that respecteth toward Europe. 1864 Boutell Her. Hist. & Pop. xxxii. (ed. 3) 470 An eagle rising and respecting to the sinister. |