respect (English)

Where does "respect" come from?

The English noun respect descends from Middle English 'respect'[1], which came from Old French 'respect'[1]. The Old French form traces back to the Latin noun 'respectus', meaning 'a looking at, regard, respect'[1], which is the perfect passive participle of the verb 'respiciō'[1]. This Latin verb combines the prefix 're-' meaning 'back' with 'speciō' meaning 'to see'[1]. Going further back into antiquity, the root connects to Proto-Indo-European '*speḱ-'[1]. Along its historical path, the meaning shifted from a physical act of looking back to abstract notions of regard and consideration.

Open questions

The ultimate Proto-Indo-European root is reconstructed. [1] [5]

Full etymology tree

respect (English), 'an attitude of consideration or high regard'
- inherited respect (Middle English)
  - inherited respect (Old French)
    - derived respectus (Latin), 'respected'
      - derived respicio (Latin), 'to look behind, look back at or upon, look to, look around'
        compound re- (Latin), 'back, backwards'
        compound specio (Latin), 'to observe, watch, look at'
        inherited *spekjō (Proto-Italic), 'to observe, see'
        inherited *spéḱyeti (Proto-Indo-European), 'to be looking at, to keep looking at'

Ancestors

*speḱ- (Proto-Indo-European)
respectus (Latin)

Cognates and doublets

respite (English)

Descendants and derived words

by-respect (English)
disrespect (English)
disrespect (English)
have respect of persons (English)
in respect (English)
in respect of (English)
last respects (English)
misrespect (English)
misrespect (English)
pay respect (English)
respectable (English)
respectable (English)

Sources

Updated August 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris