Where does “respectably” come from?
Respectably derives from English respectable, formed from English respect and Old English -līċ, combined with Old French -able from Latin -abilis, while respect itself combines Latin re- with a root from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm.
respectably (English): In a respectable manner; so as to gain respect;...
Definitions
- In a respectable manner; so as to gain respect;...
Ancestry of “respectably”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | respectable | Deserving respect; Decent; satisfactory;... |
| 2 | English | respect | an attitude of consideration or high regard; good... |
| 3 | Middle English | respect | — |
| 4 | Old French | respect | — |
| 5 | Latin | respectus | respected; looking back; regard, consideration,... |
| 6 | Latin | respiciō | to look behind, look back at or upon, look to, look around |
| 7 | Latin | rĕ- | back, backwards |
| 8 | Latin | prōdūcō | to lead or bring forth, forward or out |
| 9 | Latin | prō- | forward direction, forward movement |
| 10 | Proto-Italic | *pro- | pro- see the Latin entry for further meanings |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 14 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |