Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE-SPECT', v.t. [L. respecto, or respectus, from respicio; re and specio, to view; Fr. respecter; It. rispettare; Sp. respetar.]

1. To regard; to have regard to in design or purpose. In orchards and gardens, we do not so much respect beauty, as variety of ground for fruits, trees and herbs. – Bacon.
2. To have regard to, in relation or connection; to relate to. The treaty particularly respects our commerce.
3. To view or consider with some degree of reverence; to esteem as possessed of real worth. I always loved and respected Sir William. – Swift.
4. To look toward. Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the south. [Not in use.] – Brown. To respect the person, to suffer the opinion or judgment to be influenced or biased by a regard to the outward circumstances of a person, to the prejudice of right and equity. Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor. – Lev. xix. Neither doth God respect any person. – 2 Sam. xiv.