respective
adjCA, US, UK /ɹɪˈspɛktɪv/ · AU /ɹɪˈspektɪv/
Etymology Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. By surface analysis, respect + -ive.
1
Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.
- They returned to their respective places of abode.
- Adam and Novikovas swapped long-range efforts, neither of which troubled the respective keepers.2012 August 23, Alasdair Lamont, “Hearts 0-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
1 more example
- Hitachi and CAF have begun a staged return to work at their respective Newton Aycliffe and Newport factories, having reduced output following the COVID-19 outbreak.2020 April 22, “Network News: Staged return to work at Hitachi and CAF factories”, in Rail, page 9:
2
Obsolete Noticing with attention; careful; wary.
- c. 1559-1570, Edwin Sandys, letter to Bernard Gilpin But if you looke upon the estate of the church of England with a respective eye , you cannot with a good conscience refuse this charge imposed upon you
3
Obsolete Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.
- the respective connections of society
4
Obsolete Fitted to awaken respect.
- What should it be that he respects in her / But I can make respective in myself,c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv], line 192:
5
Obsolete Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
- With a respective shame, rose, took us by the hands.[1611?], Homer, “(please specify |book=I to XXIV)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume (please specify the book number), London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC:
- a. 1598, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, instructions to his son Robert Cecil, when young With thy equals familiar, yet respective.
- Synonyms
- corresponding, relevant, specific
- Derived terms
- corespective, disrespective, irrespective, respectively, respectiveness, unrespective