respite

USRES-pit/ˈɹɛs.pɪt/UKRES-pyt/ˈɹɛsˌpaɪt/

5 meanings of respite

1
short breaknouncountable or uncountable
A short break from something hard, tiring or unpleasant.
The rain gave us a short respite from the heat.
Her nap was a welcome respite after a long day at work.
Similarbreak, relief, pause, breather, recess
Note
2
death sentencenouncountable
An official order that stops or delays a punishment, especially the death penalty.
The prisoner got a respite just one day before his execution.
His family begged the governor for a respite.
Similarreprieve, stay
Note
3
put offverbtransitive
To move an event to a later time.
The judge may respite the trial if a key witness is sick.
Bad weather respited the ceremony by two days.
Similarpostpone, delay, defer, suspend
4
give more timeverbtransitive
To give a person more time to do something they owe or have promised.
Our landlord may respite us for a week if we explain what happened.
The teacher respited Sam for two days so he could finish his project.
5
jury delaynouncountable
Extra time given to a jury before its members must come to court.
The jury got a respite because snow had blocked the roads.
The judge gave the jurors a respite until the next court session.
Similarpostponement
Note

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From Old French respit, "rest", from Latin respectus. It is related to the word respect.