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respite - 11 dictionary results

res⋅pite

[res-pit] noun, verb, -pit⋅ed, -pit⋅ing.
–noun
1. a delay or cessation for a time, esp. 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)
3. to relieve temporarily, esp. from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.
4. to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.).

Origin:
1200–50; (n.) ME respit < OF < L respectus (see respect ); (v.) ME respiten < OF respitier < L respectāre, freq. of respicere to look back; see respect


1. hiatus, rest, recess. 2. postponement, stay. 3. alleviate. 4. postpone, suspend.
res·pite   (rěs'pĭt)   
n.  
  1. A usually short interval of rest or relief. See Synonyms at pause.
  2. Law Temporary suspension of a death sentence; a reprieve.
tr.v.   res·pit·ed, res·pit·ing, res·pites
To delay; postpone.

[Middle English, from Old French respit, from Latin respectus, refuge, looking back; see respect.]
Main Entry:  respite1
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  a delay or postponement
Etymology:  Latin respectus 'looking back'
Main Entry:  respite1
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to grant a respite to
Etymology:  Latin respectus 'looking back'
Usage:  transitive
Main Entry:  respite2
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  a temporary suspension of punishment; reprieve
Etymology:  Latin respectus 'looking back'
Main Entry:  respite2
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to postpone, delay
Etymology:  Latin respectus 'looking back'
Usage:  transitive
Main Entry:  respite3
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  a temporary rest or relief; pause
Etymology:  Latin respectus 'looking back'
Language Translation for : respite
Spanish: respiro, pausa,
German: die Frist,die Pause,
Japanese: 休止

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.

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.

respite 
c.1290, from O.Fr. respit "delay, respect," from L. respectus "consideration, recourse, regard" (see respect).

Main Entry: res·pite
Pronunciation: 'res-p&t, ri-'spIt
Function: noun
in the civil law of Louisiana : a judicially approved or enforced agreement that provides a debtor with time or a delay for the payment of creditors
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