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Webster 1913 Edition
Respectable
Re-spect′a-ble
(-[GREEK]-b’l)
, Adj.
[F.
respectable
, LL. respectabilis
.] 1.
Worthy of respect; fitted to awaken esteem; deserving regard; hence, of good repute; not mean;
“The respectable quarter of Sicca.” as, a
. respectable
citizenJ. H. Newman.
No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected, without being truly
respectable
. Madison.
2.
Moderate in degree of excellence or in number;
–as, a
. respectable
performance; a respectable
audienceRe-spect′a-ble-ness
,Noun.
Re-spect′a-bly
, adv.
Webster 1828 Edition
Respectable
RESPECT'ABLE
,Adj.
1.
Possessing the worth or qualities which deserve or command respect; worth of esteem and honor; as a respectable citizen; respectable company.No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected, without being truly respectable.
2.
In popular language, this word is much used to express what is moderate in degree of excellence on in number, but not despicable. We say, a respectable discourse or performance, a respectable audience, a respectable number of citizens convened.Definition 2024
respectable
respectable
English
Adjective
respectable (comparative more respectable, superlative most respectable)
- Deserving respect.
- His accomplishments, morals, loyalty, and stature make him a respectable person.
- 1893, Walter Besant, The Ivory Gate, chapter III:
- In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass. In this way all respectable burgesses, down to fifty years ago, spent their evenings.
- Decent; satisfactory.
- Turn up to the interview wearing something respectable. She plays a respectable game of chess. He got a respectable B+ on his last exam.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Derived terms
See also
Translations
deserving respect
|
French
Etymology
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ʁɛs.pɛk.tabl/
- Homophone: respectables
- Hyphenation: res‧pec‧table
Adjective
respectable m, f (plural respectables)