Definition of Respite

1. Verb. Postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution.

Exact synonyms: Reprieve
Generic synonyms: Defer, Hold Over, Postpone, Prorogue, Put Off, Put Over, Remit, Set Back, Shelve, Table
Derivative terms: Reprieve, Reprieve

2. Noun. A (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort.
Exact synonyms: Reprieve
Generic synonyms: Ease, Relief
Derivative terms: Reprieve

3. Noun. A pause from doing something (as work). "He took time out to recuperate"
Exact synonyms: Break, Recess, Time Out
Generic synonyms: Pause
Specialized synonyms: Spring Break
Derivative terms: Break, Recess

4. Noun. An interruption in the intensity or amount of something.
Exact synonyms: Abatement, Hiatus, Reprieve, Suspension
Generic synonyms: Break, Interruption
Specialized synonyms: Defervescence, Remission, Remittal, Subsidence
Derivative terms: Abate, Suspend

5. Noun. A pause for relaxation. "People actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests"
Exact synonyms: Relief, Rest, Rest Period
Generic synonyms: Break, Intermission, Interruption, Pause, Suspension
Specialized synonyms: Breath, Breather, Breathing Place, Breathing Space, Breathing Spell, Breathing Time
Derivative terms: Rest, Rest

6. Noun. The act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment.
Exact synonyms: Reprieve
Generic synonyms: Clemency, Mercifulness, Mercy
Category relationships: Jurisprudence, Law
Derivative terms: Reprieve

Definition of Respite

1. n. A putting off of that which was appointed; a postponement or delay.

2. v. t. To give or grant a respite to.

Definition of Respite

1. Noun. A brief interval of rest or relief. ¹

2. Noun. (legal) A reprieve, especially from a sentence of death. ¹

3. Verb. (transitive) To delay or postpone. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Respite

1. to relieve temporarily [v -SPITED, -SPITING, -SPITES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Respite

respires
respiring
respiritualize
respiritualized
respiritualizes
respirocyte
respirocytes
respirologist
respirologists
respirometer
respirometers
respirometric
respirometries
respirometry
respit
respite (current term)
respite care
respited
respiteless
respites
respiting
respits
resplend
resplendant
resplended
resplendence
resplendences
resplendencies
resplendency
resplendent

Literary usage of Respite

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The History of the Norman Conquest of England: Its Causes and Its Results by Edward Augustus Freeman (1877)
"Of course nothing more than a respite was ever gained ; when the Danes had spent the money, they came again for more. And it would seem, from the example of ..."

2. The History of the Norman Conquest of England: Its Causes and Its Results by Edward Augustus Freeman (1877)
"As far as we can see, the schemes of the legislature were well considered ; a respite was needed in order to devise any scheme at all, and humiliating as it ..."

3. The History of Modern Europe: With an Account of the Decline & Fall of the by William Russell, Charles Coote (1822)
"Barbaroux, on the other hand, maintained that, as the decree had been pronounced, it ought to be carried into effect without delay ; for the desired respite ..."

4. The Cambridge Modern History by Adolphus William Ward, George Walter Prothero (1907)
"... and his conduct indicates a strange alternation of violence and compunction. The motion for respite having been lost, the execution was now ..."

5. Institutes of American Law by John Bouvier (1854)
"Of the effect of respite or an extension of time. 1399. respite, in the sense it is here employed, is a delay, forbearance, or continuation of time. ..."

6. English Synonymes: With Copious Illustrations and Explanations. Drawn from by George Crabb (1851)
"The term interval respects time only; respite includes the idea of action within that time which may be more or leee agreeable ; intervals of ease are a ..."

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