Respicit

Respicit is a Latin verb meaning to look back at, regard, or consider. It is the third-person singular present active indicative form of respicio, respicere, respexi, respectum, a Latin -io verb built with the prefix re- and the base specio (to look). In Latin grammar, respicio belongs to the -io class of the third conjugation and forms its present tense as respicio, respicis, respicit, respicimus, respicitis, respiciunt.

The verb takes a direct object in the accusative, indicating what is being regarded or considered. It can also be used metaphorically to express attention or regard for a person, thing, or situation. Typical senses include looking back toward something physically, or considering something in a broader sense, such as evaluating a past action or taking something into account.

Common examples in Latin literature render the sense as “he regards,” “he looks back at,” or “he contemplates.” For instance, respicit hostem (he regards/looks upon the enemy) or respicit rem longam (he regards the matter with long consideration). The related noun respectus in Latin conveys the idea of regard or consideration and has given rise to the English word respect.

Respicit contrasts with other look or view verbs such as conspicio (to catch sight of) and specto (to look at). It is encountered in classical authors, inscriptions, and later Latin texts, where it contributes nuanced meaning related to attention, regard, or retrospective consideration.