Dictionary Information: Definition Respite - Description Meaning Thesaurus

Respite (Res"pite) (r?s"p?t), n.
[OF. respit, F. répit, 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.

Synonyms -- Pause; interval; stop; cessation; delay; postponement; stay; reprieve.

Respite (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.