Respect
Etymology
From Latin "respectus" (a looking back at, regard, consideration), from "respicere" (to look back at, look around, regard), from "re-" (back, again) plus "specere" (to look) — the family of "spectator" and "inspect." The literal sense is "to look again": respect is the second, careful look that takes someone’s worth into account rather than passing over them.
noun · /ri-SPEKT/
Regard for the worth, standing, or rights of someone or something.
What it names
Reach for it to name the attention we owe to others’ worth — from basic recognition of their dignity to admiration earned by merit.
Example
The apprentice earned the crew’s respect not by talking but by showing up early and owning her mistakes.
Related idea
Philosophers distinguish two kinds: recognition respect — the regard owed to every person’s dignity regardless of merit — and appraisal respect (closer to esteem), which is earned by excellence. Deference is respect enacted as yielding to another’s authority.
noun · /ri-SPEKT/
A particular aspect, detail, or point of comparison.
What it names
a specific facet under consideration
Example
The two plans are identical in every respect but price.
Related idea
Seen in ‘with respect to,’ meaning ‘concerning’ — a sense far from esteem, from the root “to look at.”