RESPITE • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Respite

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/rˈɛspɪt/ Listen

noun

Respite n.

A putting off of that which was appointed; a postponement or delay. "I crave but four day's respite."

Temporary intermission of labor, or of any process or operation; interval of rest; pause; delay. "Without more respite." "Some pause and respite only I require."

(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.

Synonyms: Pause; interval; stop; cessation; delay; postponement; stay; reprieve.

verb

Respite v. t. (past & past part. respited; pres. part. respiting) 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."

(c)

To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. "To respite his day labor with repast."

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Etymology of 'Respite'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Respite" Quotes from Famous Books

... a brief respite at times when the Vikings fought amongst themselves. In early days there were frequent struggles for supremacy in Norway, between local kinglets and ambitious chiefs. Fighting was in the blood of the Northmen. Two sea-roving squadrons would sometimes challenge each other to battle ...

— Famous Sea Fights - From Salamis to Tsu-Shima • John Richard Hale

... advancing upon Orlando, and a combat began, so obstinate and so long, each warrior being a miracle of prowess, that the story says it lasted from noon till night. Orlando then seeing the stars come out was the first to propose a respite. ...

— Bulfinch's Mythology • Thomas Bulfinch

... fortunate circumstance for the colonists that the effusion of lava should have been in the direction of Lake Grant. They had before them some days' respite. The plateau of Prospect Heights, Granite House, and the dockyard were for the moment preserved. And these few days it was necessary to employ in planking and carefully calking the vessel, and launching her. The colonists ...

— The Mysterious Island • Jules Verne

... a rate that Macey had to cry out for respite as they struck out of the wood, and reached a lane where, to their surprise, they came plump upon the gipsies camped by the roadside, with a good fire burning, and their miserable horse cropping the ...

— The Weathercock - Being the Adventures of a Boy with a Bias • George Manville Fenn

... after, feebly enough, came on again to the assault, I resolutely withstood any further endeavours, on a pretext that flattered his prowess, of my being so violently hurt and sore, that I could not possibly endure a fresh trial. He then graciously granted me a respite, and the next morning soon after advancing, I got rid of further importunity, till Mrs. Cole, being rung for by him, came in and was made acquainted, in terms of the utmost joy and rapture, with his triumphant certainty of my virtue, and the finishing stroke ...

— Memoirs Of Fanny Hill - A New and Genuine Edition from the Original Text (London, 1749) • John Cleland

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