respite — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A brief interval of rest or relief.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   hiatusmoratoriumrecesscomfortreliefsolace

   Examples

   I crave but four day's respite.

   Some pause and respite only I require.

   More examples (3)

   It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.

   Mr. Cameron had a respite Thursday from the negative chatter swirling around him when he appeared outside 10 Downing Street to denounce the murder a day before of a British soldier on a London street.

   The American escort carriers reach the first in a series of rain squalls, and Japanese fire drops off significantly, as their optical systems are unable to see through the rain. At this point in time, almost any other major navy would simply have used their radar to keep spotting and firing, as Duke of York had done to Scharnhorst almost a year ago and as the battleships of the Seventh Fleet had done to the Yamashiro mere hours earlier. But, since only one ship in the Center Force has gunnery radar, the American ships gain some respite.

2. A reprieve, especially from a sentence of death.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Thenne spake sir gawayn and sayd my lord Arthur I wold counceylle yow not to be ouer hasty but that ye wold putte it in respyte this Iugement of my lady the quene for many causes. "Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said: My lord Arthur, I would counsel you not to be over-hasty, but that ye would put it in respite, this judgment of my lady the queen, for many causes."

   The PACC Act [Post-Appeal Applications in Capital Cases Act] also amends the CPC [Criminal Procedure Code] to provide that a capital sentence may be carried out unless:[…]The President has ordered a respite.

3. The delay of appearance at court granted to a jury beyond the proper term.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. A short period of spoken dialogue in an otherwise sung-through musical.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Verb

1. To delay or postpone (an event).

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To allow (a person) extra time to fulfil some obligation.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort

   Synonyms

   reprieve

   Broader terms

   reliefease

2. a pause from doing something (as work)

   Synonyms

   recessbreaktime out

   Broader terms

   pause

   Examples

   we took a 10-minute break

   he took time out to recuperate

3. an interruption in the intensity or amount of something

   Synonyms

   suspensionreprievehiatusabatement

   Broader terms

   interruptionbreak

4. a pause for relaxation

   Synonyms

   restreliefrest period

   Broader terms

   pauseintermissionbreakinterruptionsuspension

   Examples

   people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests

5. the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment

   Synonyms

   reprieve

   Broader terms

   clemencymercifulnessmercy

Verb

1. postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution

   Synonyms

   reprieve

   Broader terms

   postponeproroguehold overput overtableshelveset backdeferremitput off