1. A (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
   "The weekend provided a welcome respite from work stress";
   - reprieve
    
2. A pause from doing something (as work)
   "we took a 10-minute respite";
   - recess, break, time out
    
3. A pause for relaxation
   "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short respites";
   - rest, relief, rest period
    
4. An interruption in the intensity or amount of something
   "The storm provided a brief respite from the oppressive heat";
   - suspension, reprieve, hiatus, abatement
    
5. (law) the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
   "The court's decision offered a temporary respite from the sentence";
   - reprieve

1. Postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
   "The governor respited the prisoner's execution for 30 days";
   - reprieve

Derived forms: respited, respites, respiting

Type of: break, clemency, defer, ease, hold over, intermission, interruption, mercifulness, mercy, pause, postpone, prorogue, put back, put off, put over, relief, remit, set back, shelve, suspension, table [N. Amer]

Encyclopedia: Respite