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espect; fitted to awaken esteem; deserving regard; hence, of good repute; not mean; as, a respectable citizen. "The respectable quarter of Sicca." J. H. Newman. No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected, without being truly respectable. Madison.

Not respectable; disreputable. M. Arnold.

Of some distinction; noteworthy; influential; respectable; -- said of persons. You are, indeed, a very considerable man. Junius.

Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person. A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs. Burke. -- De"cent*ly, adv. -- De"cent*ness, n.

in accounts or business. He had . . . that sort of exactness which would have made him a respectable antiquary. Macaulay.

Honorable descent; noble or respectable stock; as, a man of family.

Orderly; comely; respectable. [Obs.] Halliwell.

Convenient; suitable; direct; near; handy; dexterous; easy; profitable; cheap; respectable. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble. British society is divided into nobility, gentry, and yeomanry, and families are either noble, gentle, or simple. Johnson's Cyc. The studies wherein our noble and gentle youth ought to bestow their time. Milton.

Of reputable association or use; respectable. Let her descend: my chambers are honorable. Shak.

lternative. There is an option left to the United States of America, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable, as a nation. Washington.

The state or quality of being respectable; the state or quality which deserves or commands respect.

Respectable. [Obs.] Knolles.

A common man, or one of the commonly of the first or most respectable class; a freeholder; a man free born.