Shows admiration and regard for someone's qualities or achievements, or plural of respect meaning consideration or particular aspects.
From Latin 'respectus' meaning regard or consideration, from 'respicere' meaning to look back at. The prefix 're-' means again and 'specere' means to look.
The phrase 'paying respects' literally comes from the idea of turning to look at someone—you show respect by directing your attention to them, which is why respectful attention (eye contact, listening) is universal across cultures.
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