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Added 9 October 2026

respective

/ɹɪˈspɛktɪv/ adjective

Latin root: respectivus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about respective at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.
They returned to their respective places of abode.
Noticing with attention; careful; wary.
Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.
the respective connections of society

Origin

Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. By surface analysis, respect + -ive.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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