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respite

American  
[res-pit] / ˈrɛs pɪt /

noun

  1. a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief.

    to toil without respite.
    Synonyms:
    recess, rest, hiatus

  2. temporary suspension of the execution of a person condemned to death; reprieve.

    Synonyms:
    stay, postponement

verb (used with object)

respited, respiting

  1. to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.

    Synonyms:
    alleviate

  2. to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.).

    Synonyms:
    suspend, postpone
respite British  
/ ˈrɛspɪt, -paɪt /

noun

  1. a pause from exertion; interval of rest

  2. a temporary delay

  3. a temporary stay of execution; reprieve

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to grant a respite to; reprieve

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • respiteless adjective
  • unrespited adjective

Etymology

Origin of respite

First recorded in 1200–50; (for the noun) Middle English respit, from Old French, from Latin respectus “action of looking back, consideration, regard”; (for the verb) Middle English respiten, from Old French respitier, from Latin respectāre “to await, keep looking around,” from respicere “to look back”; respect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But in that moment, as Pope turned for the dressing room and respite from the baking sun, you could not help but feel this was a final chance slipping away.

From BBC

Despite the stifling heat, the Australia bowling was collectively brilliant, never giving England any respite.

From BBC

Every minute saved will be respite for England's bowlers, inflicting Australia to the worst of the searing South Australian heat.

From BBC

Holiday travelers are already enjoying a respite from otherwise high prices at the gasoline pump this year thanks to everything from an oversupply of oil to seasonally low demand.

From Barron's

Holiday travelers are already enjoying a respite from otherwise high prices at the pump this year thanks to everything from an oversupply of oil to seasonally low demand.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.