Appear capable of respect (4,2,2)
I believe the answer is:
look up to
'respect' is the definition.
(looking up to is a kind of respecting)
'appear capable' is the wordplay.
'appear' becomes 'look' ('look' can be a synonym of 'appear').
'capable' becomes 'upto' ('up to' can be a synonym of 'capable').
'look'+'upto'='LOOK UP TO'
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for look up to that I've seen before include "Admire and respect - see aloft" , "Admire (someone)" , "Admire as superior, cast eyes aloft" , "Greatly respect" .)