respite

n. [ OF. respit, F. répit, from L. respectus respect, regard, delay, in LL., the deferring of a day. See Respect. ] 1. A putting off of that which was appointed; a postponement or delay. [ 1913 Webster ]

I crave but four day's respite. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Temporary intermission of labor, or of any process or operation; interval of rest; pause; delay. “Without more respite.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some pause and respite only I require. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) (a) Temporary suspension of the execution of a capital offender; reprieve. (b) The delay of appearance at court granted to a jury beyond the proper term. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Pause; interval; stop; cessation; delay; postponement; stay; reprieve. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Respited; p. pr. & vb. n. Respiting. ] [ OF. respiter, LL. respectare. See Respite, n. ] To give or grant a respite to. Specifically: (a) To delay or postpone; to put off. (b) To keep back from execution; to reprieve. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forty days longer we do respite you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. “To respite his day labor with repast.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]