respite

[ res-pit ]
See synonyms for: respiterespitedrespiting on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a delay or cessation for a time, especially 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),res·pit·ed, res·pit·ing.
  1. to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.

  2. to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.).

Origin of respite

1
First recorded in 1200–50; (for the noun) Middle English respit, from Old French, from Latin respectus “action of looking back, consideration, regard”; (for the verb) Middle English respiten, from Old French respitier, from Latin respectāre “to await, keep looking around,” from respicere “to look back”; see respect

Other words for respite

Other words from respite

  • un·res·pit·ed, adjective

Words Nearby respite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use respite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for respite

respite

/ (ˈrɛspɪt, -paɪt) /


noun
  1. a pause from exertion; interval of rest

  2. a temporary delay

  1. a temporary stay of execution; reprieve

verb
  1. (tr) to grant a respite to; reprieve

Origin of respite

1
C13: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus a looking back; see respect

Derived forms of respite

  • respiteless, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012