What does respecter mean?
Respecter is a noun for a person who gives respectful consideration to someone or something. It is especially appropriate when the basis of that regard is a principle, a person's wishes, or an established boundary rather than simple approval: one may be a respecter of privacy, tradition, or another person's autonomy. The word is correct in formal and literary English, but it is less common in everyday conversation than admirer, supporter, or someone who respects. Its construction also allows broad figurative uses, such as describing someone who carefully preserves a building's character or an artist's creative independence. Because it identifies the person performing the act of respecting rather than the act itself, it is most useful when a subject is needed. Although it can sound formal or somewhat old-fashioned, it remains a precise choice for emphasizing the character or principles of the person doing the respecting.
nounA person who respects someone or something, especially one who gives careful consideration to another person's wishes, rights, or dignity.
- One who respects another person or something; a person who gives regard to someone's wishes, rights, dignity, or a principle.
"Her grandfather was a lifelong respecter of tradition, though he knew when to set it aside."
"She was a scrupulous respecter of her neighbors' privacy."
"In his essays, Orwell was a staunch respecter of working-class dignity."
The standard plural is respecters, used for more than one person who respects someone or something.
"The teachers were all quiet respecters of local tradition."
“Respect” began as a backward glance: Latin respectus meant a look back before it came to mean attention, esteem, and finally today's word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does respecter come from?
Respecter is built on respect with the agentive suffix -er, meaning “one who respects.” Respect comes through Middle French respecter from Latin respectare, a derivative of respectus. Latin respectus, in turn, was formed from respicere, “to look back” or “to regard,” giving the word its original sense of attention before the modern sense of esteem developed.
How respecter is actually used
The word is more literary and less frequent in everyday conversation than alternatives such as admirer or supporter. It is generally neutral, although its meaning can range from respectful esteem to conscientious consideration of a person's wishes or boundaries.
Easily confused with respecter
A respecter gives respectful consideration to someone or something, whereas a resister actively opposes or refuses to yield to it.