respite

[ res-pit ]
See synonyms for respite on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief: to toil without respite.

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

verb (used with object),res·pit·ed, res·pit·ing.
  1. to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.

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

Origin of respite

1
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”; see respect

Other words for respite

Other words from respite

  • un·res·pit·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use respite in a sentence

  • From time to time in the brief respites Prime shouted encouragement to his canoe-mate.

    Stranded in Arcady | Francis Lynde
  • Several others were capital respites, who had been guilty of atrocious crimes.

  • At nightfall, after two half-hour respites for dinner and tea, he was so tired that he could scarcely stand.

    The Minister's Charge | William Dean Howells
  • This continued for two solid hours, with brief respites to allow both musicians and dancers a chance to "rest up."

    The Chums of Scranton High | Donald Ferguson
  • Like a coward, I kept on allowing myself successive respites, vowing to rise heroically after each.

    In the Field (1914-1915) | Marcel Dupont

British Dictionary definitions for respite

respite

/ (ˈrɛspɪt, -paɪt) /


noun
  1. a pause from exertion; interval of rest

  2. a temporary delay

  1. a temporary stay of execution; reprieve

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

Origin of respite

1
C13: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus a looking back; see respect

Derived forms of respite

  • respiteless, adjective

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