What is "to respect the persons"

Respect \Re*spect"\ (r?*sp?kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Respected; p. pr. & vb. n. Respecting.] [L. respectare, v. intens. from respicere, respectum, to look back, respect; pref. re- re- + specere, spicere, to look, to view: cf. F. respecter. See Spy, and cf. Respite.]

1. To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.

   Thou respectest not spilling Edward's blood.
   --Shak.

   In orchards and gardens, we do not so much respect beauty as variety of ground for fruits, trees, and herbs.
   --Bacon.

2. To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor. ``I do respect thee as my soul.''
   --Shak.

3. To look toward; to front upon or toward. [Obs.]

   Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the ??uth.
   --Sir T. Browne.

4. To regard; to consider; to deem. [Obs.]

   To whom my father gave this name of Gaspar, And as his own respected him to death.
   --B. Jonson.

5. To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.

   As respects, as regards; with regard to; as to.
   --Macaulay.

   To respect the person or To respect the persons, to favor a person, or persons on corrupt grounds; to show partiality. ``Ye shall not respect persons in judgment.''
   --Deut. i. 17.

   Syn: To regard; esteem; honor; revere; venerate.