respectfullyadv.
/rᵻˈspɛk(t)fᵿli/, /rᵻˈspɛk(t)fl̩i/, U.S. /rəˈspɛk(t)f(ə)li/, /riˈspɛk(t)f(ə)li/ 1. In a respectful or deferential manner; with respect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [adverb]
worshiplyc1330
honourablyc1390
obeisantlyc1400
fairlyc1480
with cap and courtship1565
with cap and curtsey1565
with cap and knee1565
respectfullya1586
respectively1588
regardfully1600
honorificallya1639
unscornfully1844
deferentiallya1846
unmockingly1872
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. ii. sig. B8v Kalander soone iudged that his guest was of no meane calling; and therefore the more respectfullie entertaining him.
1608 T. James Apol. Wickliffe sig. k4 I finde but of one or two that wrot against him, which also demeaned themselues very respectfully, & as became Diuines.
a1667 A. Cowley On Avarice in Wks. (1668) vi. 128 These really Poor men, who are (methinks) to be respectfully treated in regard of their quality.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 53 So soon as the Grand Signior perceives him, he rises up,..and salutes him very respectfully.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xiv. 134 A youth, who, entering the room, respectfully said something softly to the old stranger.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest II. xii. 179 She received a message from Theodore, entreating most respectfully, but earnestly, to see her for a few minutes.
1842 E. Miall in Nonconformist 2 1 Grateful acknowledgements are respectfully tendered.
1879 Mrs. A. G. F. E. James Indian Househ. Managem. 43 Hordes of respectfully salaaming natives from all parts of India.
1911 School Rev. 19 330 He reads out the name of the boy, who rises respectfully and quakingly to his feet.
1973 J. Berryman Recovery (1974) 147 They listened respectfully and asked many questions afterward.
2005 Pilot Oct. 122/1 His body was carried respectfully across Eire to the place of his birth.
2. Used formulaically in the subscription of a formal letter, esp. as yours respectfully.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > letter > letter or note [phrase] > concluding phrases
your (affectionate, very, etc.) friend1454
aggradation1533
Yours ever1564
yours faithfully1564
I (will) remain1600
pro bono publico1640
sincerely1702
regards1775
yours respectfully?1777
yours truly1788
?1777 Frederic II. 120 I am, my Lord, Yours respectfully, Jeremy Watson.
1812 ‘L. Irving’ Let. 11 Jan. in C. Mackenzie My Life & Times (1963) I. 51 Your early reply through the post office will oblige. Yours respectfully, Leathley Irving.
1830 in W. Sullivan Familiar Lett. Public Char. (1834) 417 Respectfully, your obedient servants, Richard H. Bayard. James A. Bayard.
1859 E. C. Gaskell Let. 10 Nov. (1966) 592 Believe me to remain, Yours respectfully E C Gaskell.
c1880 R. D. Blackman Letter-writer's Vade-mecum (ed. 6) 42 In addressing a stranger, the proper salutation is ‘Sir’, or ‘Madam’, and the letter may be concluded ‘Yours obediently’, ‘Your obedient servant’ or ‘Yours respectfully’.
1907 F. Crocker Let. July in T. H. Baynes Early Hist. St. Andrew's Church, Oxford (1973) 14 On behalf of my fellow-workmen I respectfully beg to solicit from you a donation towards the Fund. Yours respectfully.
1960 J. Stroud Shorn Lamb v. 56 ‘Dear mr mall,’ it said ‘..if she says she don't want donald, we will have him, yours respectfully.’
2009 Philadelphia Daily News (Nexis) 24 June 66 The e-mail was signed, ‘Respectfully, Lenny K. Dykstra’.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.a1586