respect

1 /rI'spekt/ noun

1 ADMIRATION (U) admiration for someone, especially because of their personal qualities, knowledge or skill

(+ for): I have the greatest respect for Jane's judgement. | win/earn/gain the respect of: With his decisive handling of the dispute, he had won the respect of everyone. | command the respect of (=have and deserve someone's respect): Dr Weiss commands the respect of all who know him. —opposite disrespect

2 with (the greatest) respect/with (all) due respect spoken formal used to politely introduce an expression of disagreement: With respect, sir, I think you're quite wrong.

3 CONSIDERATION (U) an attitude of regarding something or someone as important so that you are careful not to harm them, treat them rudely etc

(+ for): Out of respect for the wishes of her family, the affair was not reported in the newspapers. | children who show no respect for authority | treat sb/sth with respect: Old people deserve to be treated with more respect.

4 FOR DANGER (U) a careful attitude towards something or someone that is dangerous

(+ for): Forbes has always shown a healthy respect for the treacherous currents of the Yangtze.

5 in one respect/in some respects/in every respect used to say that something is true in one way, in some ways, or in every way: In many respects the new version is not so good as the old one. | Aunt Arabella is very stubborn. Kim takes after her in that respect.

6 GREETINGS respects (plural) formal polite greetings: give/send your respects: Give my respects to your wife. | pay your respects (=make a polite visit): I've come to pay my respects to the countess.

7 pay your last respects (to) to go to someone's funeral

8 in respect of formal

a) concerning or in relation to: This is especially true in respect of the United Kingdom.

b) an expression meaning in payment for, used in business letters: The builder will be paid -300 in respect of the work already done.

9 with respect to formal used to introduce a new subject, or to return to one that has already been mentioned: With respect to your other proposals, I am not yet able to give you our decision.

—see also: self­respect 2 verb (T)

1 (not in progressive) to admire someone because they have high standards and good personal qualities such as fairness and honesty: He's not the most popular teacher, but the students respect him. | John had always respected Matthew's opinion. | respect sb for: Molly always told us exactly what she thought, and we respected her for that.

2 to be careful not to do anything against someone's wishes, rights etc: I promise to respect your wishes. | The President is expected to respect the constitution.