What does the word "respect" mean?

What does it exactly mean when you say you respect someone? Is it more related to admiration/liking or awe/obedience to authority? Has it to do more with how a person acts or what does he or she accomplish?

Let's say you have two teachers. One is kindhearted, nice and wants to stay on good terms with his or her students but he or she also makes compromises to avoid conflicts. Another is strict, asserting authority, keeps his or her distance, gets his or her job done by making people study harder but in hearts of students evokes rather feelings of awe than trust.

According to you, is the word respect more applicable to the first or the second case?

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4meAndyou · F

Respect, in my mind, is linked to admiration. If someone has admirable qualities, I tend to think that person is fabulous, and I would listen to them and probably try to emulate them.

I observe carefully. I would not respect the first of your examples, because that teacher compromised to avoid conflicts. I would not respect the second one, either, because tough love has to be balanced with affection and humanity.

The teacher who earned my greatest respect while I was in school seemed professional and a tiny bit intimidating during class because she was so beautifully dressed, but when I was having trouble and asked for help, she stayed after school and went over and over ratios until I finally understood how to do them. She was so kind and patient, and you would not have known that during class. Ratios are one of the few math functions I can still perform today.

CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

@4meAndyou You were lucky to have a teacher like that. :)

4meAndyou · F

@CrazyMusicLover I can see her perfectly but darned if I can even remember her name. Great lady.