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Conform vs Respective - What's the difference?

conform | respective |

As a verb conform

is (intransitive|of persons|often followed by to) to act in accordance with expectations; to behave in the manner of others, especially as a result of social pressure.

As an adjective respective is

relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.

conform

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (intransitive, of persons, often followed by to) To act in accordance with expectations; to behave in the manner of others, especially as a result of social pressure.
  • * 1822 , , Peveril of the Peak , ch. 1:
  • [H]e had a dispensation for conforming in outward observances to the Protestant faith.
  • * 1839 , , The Voyage of the Beagle , ch. 4:
  • [B]y conforming to the dress and habits of the Gauchos, he has obtained an unbounded popularity in the country.
  • To be in accordance with a set of specifications or regulations, or with a policy or guideline.
  • * 1919 , , The Camp Fire Girls Do Their Bit , ch. 11:
  • In height and breadth it conformed to the prescribed measurements laid down by the rules of the contest.
  • * 2006 22 Dec., " Judge Cuts Amount of Vioxx Award ," New York Times (retrieved 7 June 2011):
  • A judge in a Texas widow’s lawsuit over the Merck drug Vioxx reduced a $32 million jury award to about $7.75 million on Thursday so that it conformed to state law.
  • To make similar in form or nature; to make suitable for a purpose; to adapt.
  • * , "Vanbrugh's House" in The Poems of Jonathan Swift (1910 edition):
  • There is a worm by Phoebus bred,
    By leaves of mulberry is fed,
    Which unprovided where to dwell,
    Conforms itself to weave a cell.
  • * 1836 , , Nature , ch. 6:
  • The sensual man conforms' thoughts to things; the poet ' conforms things to his thoughts.

    Synonyms

    * (act in accordance with expectations) acquiesce, comply, go along to get along, knuckle under, submit

    respective

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.
  • They returned to their respective places of abode.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=August 23 , author=Alasdair Lamont , title=Hearts 0-1 Liverpool , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Adam and Novikovas swapped long-range efforts, neither of which troubled the respective keepers.}}
  • (obsolete) Noticing with attention; careful; wary.
  • * Archbishop Sandys
  • If you look upon the church of England with a respective eye, you can not refuse this charge.
  • (obsolete) Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.
  • the respective connections of society
  • (obsolete) Fitted to awaken respect.
  • * 1599 , , IV. iv. 192:
  • What should it be that he respects in her / But I can make respective in myself,
  • (obsolete) Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
  • * Chapman
  • With respective shame, rose, took us by the hands.
  • * Lord Burleigh
  • With thy equals familiar, yet respective .

    Synonyms

    * (relating to particular persons or things) corresponding, relevant, specific

    Derived terms

    * respectiveness * irrespective