Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- In a respectable manner,
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adverb In a
respectable manner.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adverb to a tolerably worthy extent
- adverb in a decent and morally reputable manner
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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"Otherwise, I shall keep my word respectably, and I shall marry Claudet."
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Ida should be brought up "respectably" -- it was her own word; she should be kept absolutely free from the contamination of her mother's way of living; nay, should, when the time came, go to school, and have good chances.
The Unclassed George Gissing 1880
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"Otherwise, I shall keep my word respectably, and I shall marry
A Woodland Queen — Complete Andr�� Theuriet 1870
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As a poor seamstress, in an attic room, who, during the four years, had lived in hunger and need -- but respectably, that is the main point.
Mother Earth, Vol. 1 No. 2, April 1906 Monthly Magazine Devoted to Social Science and Literature Various 1904
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And dem two vessels am called respectably de _Dolphin_ and de
The Log of a Privateersman Harry Collingwood 1886
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They are cowards twice over for expressing their virulent anti-semitism "respectably" by attacking Israel, which they also despise for existing, and more obviously for concealing their true identities.
On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2008
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Others spend all their small earnings to keep themselves "respectably" dressed, and share the board and lodgings of some young _roue_ as heartless as incontinent.
Plain Facts for Old and Young John Harvey Kellogg 1897
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Others spend all their small earnings to keep themselves "respectably" dressed, and share the board and lodgings of some young roué as heartless as incontinent.
Plain facts for old and young : embracing the natural history and hygiene of organic life. 1877
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At the moment the old known political figures are looking for somebody who is known in the international arena and can behave "respectably" when dealing with the political issues.
The Guardian World News David Batty 2011
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I think last year's winner, The Book of Negroes, had a resurgence in sales, but that book was already selling respectably prior to its inclusion in Canada Reads.
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