'Respite' definitions:
Definition of 'respite'
From: WordNet
noun
A (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort [syn: reprieve, respite]
noun
A pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate" [syn: respite, recess, break, time out]
noun
An interruption in the intensity or amount of something [syn: suspension, respite, reprieve, hiatus, abatement]
noun
A pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests" [syn: respite, rest, relief, rest period]
noun
The act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment [syn: reprieve, respite]
verb
Postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution [syn: reprieve, respite]
Definition of 'Respite'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- Forty days longer we do respite you. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (c) To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. "To respite his day labor with repast." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Respite'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- I crave but four day's respite. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Temporary intermission of labor, or of any process or operation; interval of rest; pause; delay. "Without more respite." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- Some pause and respite only I require. --Denham. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: Pause; interval; stop; cessation; delay; postponement; stay; reprieve. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'respite'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abeyance,
- afterthought,
- bind,
- block,
- blockage,
- blow,
- break,
- breath,
- breather,
- breathing,
- breathing place,
- breathing space,
- breathing spell,
- breathing time,
- bureaucratic delay,
- caesura,
- catharsis,
- cease-fire,
- cigarette break,
- cleansing,
- cocktail hour,
- coffee break,
- day off,
- delay,
- delayage,
- delayed reaction,
- deliverance,
- detention,
- discharge,
- double take,
- downtime,
- dragging,
- drop,
- emotional release,
- enforced respite,
- extension,
- freeing,
- grace,
- grant a reprieve,
- half time,
- half-time intermission,
- halt,
- hang-up,
- happy hour,
- hesitation,
- hiatus,
- hindrance,
- holdup,
- holiday,
- interim,
- interlude,
- intermezzo,
- intermission,
- intermittence,
- interregnum,
- interruption,
- interval,
- jam,
- lag,
- lagging,
- lapse,
- layoff,
- letup,
- logjam,
- lull,
- moratorium,
- obstruction,
- off-time,
- paperasserie,
- pause,
- plateau,
- point of repose,
- postponement,
- purgation,
- purge,
- purging,
- quiet spell,
- recess,
- red tape,
- red-tapeism,
- red-tapery,
- release,
- relief,
- remission,
- removal,
- reprieve,
- rest,
- resting point,
- retardance,
- retardation,
- slow-up,
- slowdown,
- slowness,
- spell,
- stand-down,
- stay,
- stay of execution,
- stop,
- stoppage,
- surcease,
- suspension,
- tea break,
- tie-up,
- time lag,
- time off,
- time out,
- truce,
- vacation,
- wait