Definition: esteem

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

esteem
     n 1: the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or
          well regarded); "it is held in esteem"; "a man who has
          earned high regard" [syn: regard, respect] [ant: disesteem]
     2: a feeling of delighted approval and liking [syn: admiration]
     3: an attitude of admiration or esteem; "she lost all respect
        for him" [syn: respect, regard] [ant: disrespect]
     v 1: regard highly; think much of [syn: respect, value, prize,
           prise] [ant: disrespect, disrespect]
     2: look on as or consider: "she looked on this affair as a
        joke"; "He thinks of himself as a brilliant musician"
        [syn: think of, repute, regard as, look upon, look
        on, take to be]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Esteem \Es*teem"\, v. i.
   To form an estimate; to have regard to the value; to
   consider. [Obs.]

         We ourselves esteem not of that obedience, or love, or
         gift, which is of force.                 --Milton.
Esteem \Es*teem"\, n. [Cf. F. estime. See Esteem, v. t.]
   1. Estimation; opinion of merit or value; hence, valuation;
      reckoning; price.

            Most dear in the esteem And poor in worth! --Shak.

            I will deliver you, in ready coin, The full and
            dear'st esteem of what you crave.     --J. Webster.

   2. High estimation or value; great regard; favorable opinion,
      founded on supposed worth.

            Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem.
                                                  --Shak.

   Syn: See Estimate, n.
Esteem \Es*teem"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Esteemed; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Esteeming.] [F. estimer, L. aestimare, aestumare, to
   value, estimate; perh. akin to Skr. ish to seek, strive, and
   E. ask. Cf. Aim, Estimate.]
   1. To set a value on; to appreciate the worth of; to
      estimate; to value; to reckon.

            Then he forsook God, which made him, and lightly
            esteemed the Rock of his salvation.   --Deut. xxxii.
                                                  15.

            Thou shouldst (gentle reader) esteem his censure and
            authority to be of the more weighty credence. --Bp.
                                                  Gardiner.

            Famous men, -- whose scientific attainments were
            esteemed hardly less than supernatural. --Hawthorne.

   2. To set a high value on; to prize; to regard with
      reverence, respect, or friendship.

            Will he esteem thy riches?            --Job xxxvi.
                                                  19.

            You talk kindlier: we esteem you for it. --Tennyson.

   Syn: To estimate; appreciate; regard; prize; value; respect;
        revere. See Appreciate, Estimate.