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Webster 1913 Edition

Respective

Re-spec′tive

(rē̍-spĕk′tĭv)
,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
respectif
, LL.
respectivus
. See
Respect
.]
1.
Noticing with attention; hence, careful; wary; considerate.
[Obs.]
If you look upon the church of England with a
respective
eye, you can not . . . refuse this charge.
A[GREEK]p. Sandys.
2.
Looking towardl having reference to; relative, not absolute;
as, the
respective
connections of society
.
3.
Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own;
as, they returned to their
respective
places of abode
.
4.
Fitted to awaken respect.
[Obs.]
Shak.
5.
Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
[Obs.]
With
respective
shame, rose, took us by the hands.
Chapman.
With thy equals familiar, yet
respective
.
Lord Burleigh.

Webster 1828 Edition

Respective

RESPECT'IVE

,
Adj.
1.
Relative; having relation to something else; not absolute; as the respective connections of society.
2.
Particular; relating to a particular person or thing. Let each man retire to his respective place of abode. The officers were found in their respective quarters; they appeared at the head of their respective regiments. Let each give according to his respective proportion.
3.
Worthy of respect. [Not in use.]
4.
Careful; circumspect; cautious; attentive to consequences; as respective and wary men. [Not in use.]

Definition 2025

respective

respective

English

Adjective

respective ‎(not comparable)

  1. Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.
    They returned to their respective places of abode.
    • 2012 August 23, Alasdair Lamont, “Hearts 0-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
      Adam and Novikovas swapped long-range efforts, neither of which troubled the respective keepers.
  2. (obsolete) Noticing with attention; careful; wary.
    • Archbishop Sandys
      If you look upon the church of England with a respective eye, you can not […] refuse this charge.
  3. (obsolete) Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.
    the respective connections of society
  4. (obsolete) Fitted to awaken respect.
  5. (obsolete) Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
    • Chapman
      With respective shame, rose, took us by the hands.
    • Lord Burleigh
      With thy equals familiar, yet respective.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

French

Adjective

respective

  1. feminine singular of respectif

Etymology

Borrowing from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. Equivalent to respect +‎ -ive.

Pronunciation

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