respite
respite Lexical Profile
respite Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short period of rest or relief from something difficult, unpleasant, or exhausting.
"The cool evening breeze offered a welcome respite from the oppressive summer heat."
A temporary delay or postponement of a legal obligation, debt payment, or severe punishment.
"The defense attorney petitioned the court for a brief respite to review the newly discovered evidence."
• verb
To grant a temporary period of relief, rest, or postponement to (a person, obligation, or sentence).
"The governor decided to respite the sentence for thirty days pending a formal judicial review."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 13th century from Old French respit, meaning 'delay or reprieve,' which derives from the Latin respectus ('a looking back, regard, or refuge'), from the verb respicere ('to look back at or provide for').