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RESPECTFUL
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Full of or exhibiting respect
Example:
a respectful glance
Classified under:
Similar:
deferent; deferential; regardful (showing deference)
honorific (conferring or showing honor or respect)
Also:
courteous (characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners)
humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)
reverent (feeling or showing profound respect or veneration)
Antonym:
disrespectful (exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous)
Derivation:
respectfulness (courteous regard for people's feelings)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Feeling or manifesting veneration
Synonyms:
respectful; reverential; venerating
Classified under:
Similar:
reverent (feeling or showing profound respect or veneration)
Derivation:
respectfulness (courteous regard for people's feelings)
Context examples:
A smile flickered over the dark face of the servant, but his features reset themselves instantly into their usual mask of respectful observance.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
As he passed each knot of cavaliers every head turned to look after him, and it was evident, from the bows and respectful salutations on all sides, that the interest which he excited was not due merely to his strange personal appearance.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
As she sat one morning, looking forward to exactly such a close of the present day, a note was brought from Mrs. Goddard, requesting, in most respectful terms, to be allowed to bring Miss Smith with her; a most welcome request: for Miss Smith was a girl of seventeen, whom Emma knew very well by sight, and had long felt an interest in, on account of her beauty.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
At first, indeed, I did not feel that natural awe, which the Yahoos and all other animals bear toward them; but it grew upon me by decrees, much sooner than I imagined, and was mingled with a respectful love and gratitude, that they would condescend to distinguish me from the rest of my species.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
The whole walk was delightful, and though it ended too soon, its conclusion was delightful too; her friends attended her into the house, and Miss Tilney, before they parted, addressing herself with respectful form, as much to Mrs. Allen as to Catherine, petitioned for the pleasure of her company to dinner on the day after the next.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
True, reader; and I knew and felt this: and though I am a defective being, with many faults and few redeeming points, yet I never tired of Helen Burns; nor ever ceased to cherish for her a sentiment of attachment, as strong, tender, and respectful as any that ever animated my heart.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
"How kind everyone is to us!" she said, turning to find fresh proof of it in the respectful sympathy of the young man's face.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
“—Dead, Mr. Peggotty?” I hinted, after another respectful silence.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
It was a jealous note, and he was very careful in keeping a respectful distance.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
He is usually respectful to the attendant and at times servile; but to-night, the man tells me, he was quite haughty.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
