Search the Dictionary

ge, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice. I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections than to preoccupy his judgment. Arbuthnot.

Rendering respect; respectful; regardful. [Obs.] With respective shame, rose, took us by the hands. Chapman. With thy equals familiar, yet respective. Lord Burleigh.

Respectful; as, a respectuous silence. [Obs.] Boyle.

Disposed to revere; impressed with reverence; submissive; humble; respectful; as, reverent disciples. "They . . . prostrate fell before him reverent." Milton.

In a reverent manner; in respectful regard.

A respectful title or appelation given to Europeans of rank. [India]

A respectful title, used in addressing a man, without being prefixed to his name; -- used especially in speaking to elders or superiors; sometimes, also, used in the way of emphatic formality. "What's that to you, sir" Sheridan.

A term of address implying inferiority and used in anger, contempt, reproach, or disrespectful familiarity, addressed to a man or boy, but sometimes to a woman. In sililoquies often preceded by ah. Not used in the plural. "Ah, sirrah mistress." Beau & Fl. Go, sirrah, to my cell. Shak.

Disrespectful; irreverent. [Obs.] Shak.

has now been, during many years, the grave and decorous usage of Parliaments to hear, in respectful silence, all expressions, acceptable or unacceptable, which are uttered from the throne. Macaulay.