Etymologically
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respectus

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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]
  • 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