Definitions for: Respite


[n] a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate"
[n] the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
[n] an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
[n] a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
[n] a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests"
[v] grant a respite to
[v] postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution



Webster (1913) Definition: Res"pite (r?s"p?t), n. [OF. respit, F. r['e]pit, from
L. respectus respect, regard, delay, in LL., the deferring of
a day. See Respect.]
1. A putting off of that which was appointed; a postponement
or delay.

I crave but four day's respite. --Shak.

2. Temporary intermission of labor, or of any process or
operation; interval of rest; pause; delay. ``Without more
respite.'' --Chaucer.

Some pause and respite only I require. --Denham.

3. (Law)
(a) Temporary suspension of the execution of a capital
offender; reprieve.
(b) The delay of appearance at court granted to a jury
beyond the proper term.

Syn: Pause; interval; stop; cessation; delay; postponement;
stay; reprieve.


Res"pite, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Respited; p. pr. & vb.
n. Respiting.] [OF. respiter, LL. respectare. See
Respite, n.]
To give or grant a respite to. Specifically:
(a) To delay or postpone; to put off.
(b) To keep back from execution; to reprieve.

Forty days longer we do respite you. --Shak.
(c) To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. ``To respite
his day labor with repast.'' --Milton.

Synonyms: abatement, break, hiatus, recess, relief, reprieve, reprieve, reprieve, reprieve, rest, rest period, suspension, time out

See Also: break, break, breath, breather, breathing place, breathing space, breathing spell, breathing time, clemency, defer, defervescence, ease, hold over, intermission, interruption, interruption, mercifulness, mercy, pause, pause, postpone, prorogue, put off, put over, relief, remission, remit, remittal, set back, shelve, subsidence, suspension, table

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