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RESPECTFULLY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
In a respectful manner
Example:
might I respectfully suggest to the Town Council that they should adopt a policy of masterly inactivity?
Classified under:
Antonym:
disrespectfully (in a disrespectful manner)
Pertainym:
respectful (full of or exhibiting respect)
Context examples:
"You've had a loverly afternoon for your drive, dear," said her mother, as respectfully as if the whole twelve had come.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I looked up, and met her sharp bright glance respectfully.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
"Yes, Mother, I'm sure of that," said Meg, listening respectfully to the little lecture, for the best of women will hold forth upon the all absorbing subject of house keeping.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
He became as suddenly grave again, and leaning forward as before, said—first respectfully taking out his pocket-handkerchief, as if it really did represent my aunt: Most wonderful woman in the world, Trotwood.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Don't like him, he puts on airs, snubs his sisters, worries his father, and doesn't speak respectfully of his mother.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I found that Mrs. Heep gradually got nearer to me, and that Uriah gradually got opposite to me, and that they respectfully plied me with the choicest of the eatables on the table.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
"Do you say she makes a good living out of stories like this?" and Jo looked more respectfully at the agitated group and thickly sprinkled exclamation points that adorned the page.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I listened to all this with attention; and though, I must say, I had my doubts whether the country was quite as much obliged to the Commons as Mr. Spenlow made out, I respectfully deferred to his opinion.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Amy looked so earnest and sincere about it that her mother stopped laughing, and listened respectfully to the little plan.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
How well I recollect our sitting there, talking in whispers; or their talking, and my respectfully listening, I ought rather to say; the moonlight falling a little way into the room, through the window, painting a pale window on the floor, and the greater part of us in shadow, except when Steerforth dipped a match into a phosphorus-box, when he wanted to look for anything on the board, and shed a blue glare over us that was gone directly!
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
