respite

 
Pronunciation: /ˈrɛspʌɪt, -spɪt/

noun

[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

verb

[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'