Translate respite | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of respite
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 a dire food shortage a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out.
verb
[with object] rare postpone (a sentence, obligation, etc.):the execution was only respited a few months archaic grant a delay or extension of time to; reprieve from death or execution:some poor criminal ... from the gibbet or the wheel, respited for a day
