Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Respite"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Respite \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
respite
n 1: a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort [syn: {reprieve}]
2: a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute
break"; "he took time out to recuperate" [syn: {recess}, {break},
{time out}]
3: an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
[syn: {suspension}, {reprieve}, {hiatus}, {abatement}]
4: a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more
when they take time for short rests" [syn: {rest}, {relief},
{rest period}]
5: the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
[syn: {reprieve}]
v 1: postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an
execution [syn: {reprieve}]
2: grant a respite to
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