respectus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [rɛsˈpɛk.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [resˈpɛk.tus]^[1]

Forms

respectus m (genitive respectūs); fourth declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin respicio (“to look back”) + -tus.^[2][1] respiciō is from re- and speciō “to look”, from Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- (“to look”).^[1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cicero, in On Divination, reports a prediction that those fleeing would look back pitifully at the fires.^[4][5] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[6]

Semantic evolution

It was the action of looking back or around, and Livy says soldiers fought without looking back or pausing for breath.^[2][4] By metonymy it was a refuge to which one can look back for safety.^[2] It meant regard or consideration for a person or thing, and respectū with a genitive meant out of regard for, in view of.^[2][7] Döderlein says respectum habēre is regard in thought, ratiōnem habēre in acts.^[8]

In medieval Latin it was divine judgement and dispensation, legal proceedings, and a point of view, and in astrology an aspect.^[9][10] English respect is recorded in the late 14th century, and respite came from it through Old French respit.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of looking back.^[4][6]
• 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of soldiers who did not look back.^[2][6]
• mid-13th century – English respite is recorded.^[3]
• late 14th century – English respect is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A looking back or around.^[2][4]
2. A refuge, retreat.^[2][1]
3. Regard, consideration, respect, respectū out of regard for.^[2][7]
4. (Medieval Latin) Divine judgement; a point of view, (astrology) an aspect.^[9][10]

Related words

• respiciō
• English respect
• English respite

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
7. ^ a b Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
8. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
9. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
10. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press