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respite

Definition of respite

[mass noun]

a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant:the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering [in singular]:a brief respite from the heat
a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out: a Letter of Licence, by which creditors agreed to postpone claims, brought only temporary respite

[with object] rare

postpone (a sentence, obligation, etc.):the execution was only respited a few months
archaic grant a respite to (someone, especially a person condemned to death): some poor criminal ... from the gibbet or the wheel, respited for a day

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus 'refuge, consideration'

Definition of respite in the US English dictionary

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