re·spect·ful \-ktfəl, in rapid speech -kfəl\adjective Etymology:respect (I) + -ful : full of respect: as a.obsolete: heedful, careful — usually used with of b.obsolete: deserving or receiving respect c.: marked or characterized by respect : showing deference < respectful deportment > < a respectful glance > • re·spect·ful·ly\-fəlē, -li\adverb • re·spect·ful·nessnoun-es