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Origin and history of respects

respects(n.)

"expressions or signs of esteem, deference, or compliment," 1610s; see respect (n.). Earlier (late 14c.) as "aspects, particular respects." For "expression of regard," Middle English had respeccioun (respection), from Latin. To pay (one's) respects "show polite attention by visiting or making a call" is by 1660s.

also from 1610s

Entries linking to respects

respect(n.)

late 14c., "relationship, relation; regard, consideration" (as in in respect to), from Old French respect and directly from Latin respectus "regard, a looking at," literally "act of looking back (or often) at one," noun use of past participle of respicere "look back at, regard, consider," from re- "back" (see re-) + specere "look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe").

From late 15c. as "an aspect of a thing, a relative property or quality," hence "point, detail, particular feature" (1580s). The meanings "feeling of esteem excited by actions or attributes of someone or something; courteous or considerate treatment due to personal worth or power" are by 1580s.

With all due respect as a polite phrase introducing deferential disagreement is attested by 1670s.

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