Respite word meaning and definition

[noun] a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate"
[noun] the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
[noun] an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
[noun] a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
[noun] a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests"
[verb] grant a respite to
[verb] postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution

\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.
\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.

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