Pronunciation: [ɹɪspˈɛktɪvli] (IPA) 
The word "respectively" is spelled /rɪˈspɛktɪvli/. The /r/ sound is followed by the short /ɪ/ sound, and the /s/ sound is represented by the letter 's'. The following syllable /pɛkt/ consists of the consonants /p/ and /k/, followed by the short /ɛ/ sound. The next syllable /ɪv/ is made up of the short /ɪ/ sound and the consonant /v/. Finally, the word ends with the syllable /li/ which contains the long /i/ sound.
The adverb "respectively" is used to indicate that the corresponding items mentioned or referred to should be considered in the same order as previously or specifically stated. It is often employed when discussing multiple things or individuals in a sequence, reflecting the direct correspondence or alignment between different elements.
When "respectively" is used in a sentence, it implies that the information provided applies to each item or person in the order they were previously presented. This clarifies the relationship between the different components being discussed and helps in avoiding confusion or ambiguity.
For instance, consider the sentence: "Michael and Sarah scored 85% and 92% respectively in the final exam." Here, "respectively" is used to clarify that the first percentage corresponds to Michael, while the second percentage refers to Sarah. By including "respectively," the sentence ensures that the reader understands the order in which the scores are associated with the individuals mentioned.
In a broader sense, "respectively" is a useful tool for maintaining clarity and precision in writing, particularly when presenting data, lists, or comparisons. It ensures that the reader understands the exact association between different elements and how they are linked or related to the previous context.
As each belongs to each; particularly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "respectively" originated from the Latin word "respectivus", which is the adjectival form of the verb "respicere". "Respicio" is composed of the prefix "re-", meaning "back" or "again", and "specio", meaning "look" or "see". In Latin, "respectivus" meant "having regard for" or "relating to each". Over time, the term evolved and was adopted into the English language in the 17th century, maintaining its original meaning of indicating a particular relationship or correspondence between items in a series.
