Is respiting a word

Definitions For Respiting

noun

  • A short period of time when you are able to stop doing something that is difficult or unpleasant or when something difficult or unpleasant stops or is delayed

Words With Friends
YES

Scrabble US
YES

Scrabble UK
YES

English International (SOWPODS)
YES

Scrabble Global
YES

Enable1 Dictionary
YES

Points in Different Games

Scrabble

12

Words with Friends

15

The word Respiting is worth 12 points in Scrabble and 15 points in Words with Friends

Examples of Respiting in a Sentence

  • The bad weather has continued without respite.

Words that Start with Respiting

Words that End with Respiting

Words that Contain with Respiting

Words that Rhyme with Respiting

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Although the words spite and respite appear to be related words, they are not. We will look at the quite different definitions of spite and respite, their differing origins, and some examples of the use of these two words in sentences.

Spite means maliciousness, a desire to harm others, the act of harming or vexing others. Spite is used as a noun and a verb, related words are spites, spited, spiting. The word spite has a French origin, the word despit, which means malice.

Respite means a pause from working, a short rest, a time of relief. Respite may also refer to a short reprieve from an unpleasant obligation or punishment or the act of granting such a reprieve. Related words are respites, respited, respiting. The word respite is also derived from an Old French word, respit, which means delay. Note that the words spite and respite, though similar in spelling, are derived from two different origins and have two very different definitions.

Examples

“His blood was sufficient for our salvation, but in spite of all God has done for us, we continue to make the world a worse place in which to live.” (The Nation News)

Sometimes this is done for spite, as when Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel bankrolled the lawsuit launched by wrestler Hulk Hogan against the website Gawker. (The Los Angeles Times)

That is why a political ad out of Texas is a nice respite from the onslaught of the down-and-dirty ads choking the airwaves this time of year. (The Seattle Times)

The heavy rains brought respite from hot and sultry weather conditions continuing from past many days. (The Times of India)


Asked by: Lorine Altenwerth

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Respice | Definition of Respice by Merriam-Webster.

Can you use respite as a verb?

verb (used with object), res·pit·ed, res·pit·ing. to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from. to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.).

Is re spell a word?

to spell again or anew.

What does having a respite mean?

respite Add to list Share. A respite is a break from something that’s difficult or unpleasant. If you’re cramming for exams, take an occasional walk to give yourself a respite from the intensity. Respite may look like it rhymes with despite, but this word has a stress on its first syllable (RES-pit).

How do you use the word respite?

Respite in a Sentence ?

  1. Gardening is the perfect hobby for those who need respite from hectic city life.
  2. After driving through the desert all day, Jack welcomed the respite of an air-conditioned hotel room.
  3. In most places, summer brings a much-needed respite to teachers and students alike.

36 related questions found

What is the meaning of Pall of gloom?

The noun pall comes from the Latin word, pallium, “covering or cloak.” This use of pall has come to mean «gloom» like your grandparents’ not being there to celebrate with you that casts a pall over your graduation. The verb pall is used when someone or something becomes boring or less interesting over time.

What is phonetic Respelling?

A pronunciation respelling is a regular phonetic respelling of a word that has a standard spelling but whose pronunciation according to that spelling may be ambiguous, which is used to indicate the pronunciation of that word. … Pronunciation respellings are sometimes seen in word dictionaries.

Which is correct misspelled or misspelt?

Mis- is a prefix that means “wrong” or “mistaken.” When you add it to the verb spell, it means to spell incorrectly. The correct spelling is misspell.

What is the meaning of Respice?

Latin phrase. : consider the end : live so that your life will be approved after your death.

What does Adspice mean?

respice adspice prospice. look behind, look here, look ahead. i.e., «examine the past, the present and future».

Is respite an adjective?

Included below are past participle and present participle forms for the verb respite which may be used as adjectives within certain contexts. Without respite.

What is an example of respite?

An example of a respite is a family vacation. The definition of respite is a delay. An example of a respite is governor putting off someone’s death sentence.

Is it gray or gray?

Gray and grey are both common spellings of the color between black and white. Gray is more frequent in American English, whereas grey is more common in British English. … Of the two, gray occurs more frequently in American English, while grey has historically been the spelling preferred by British English publications.

What Colour is a carrot?

The carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a root vegetable, typically orange in color, though purple, black, red, white, and yellow cultivars exist, all of which are domesticated forms of the wild carrot, Daucus carota, native to Europe and Southwestern Asia.

Which dictionary has IPA?

The Cambridge Dictionary uses International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols to show pronunciation.

What are phonetically spelled words?

Simply put, phonetic spelling is spelling words the way they sound. While each letter in English is assigned at least one sound, there are lots of letters or letter combinations that are pronounced differently in different words.

Is pall a Scrabble word?

Yes, pall is in the scrabble dictionary.

What is a pall in the Catholic Church?

A pall (also called mortcloth or casket saddle) is a cloth that covers a casket or coffin at funerals. … The purpose of this pall is to keep dust and insects from falling into the Eucharistic elements in a chalice. The derivation is the same: the cloth is named after the presumed cloth that covered the body of Jesus.

What does it mean to cast a pall?

: to give (something) an unhappy mood Their argument cast a pall on the party.

What is respite care for child?

Respite care provides parents and other caregivers with short-term child care services that offer temporary relief, improve family stability, and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect. … Respite may be available to foster, kinship, and adoptive families, as well as birth families in need of support.

ru

A respite is a break from something that’s difficult or unpleasant. If you’re cramming for exams, take an occasional walk to give yourself a respite from the intensity.

Значения

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v

ru

To delay or postpone (an event).


v

ru

To allow (a person) extra time to fulfil some obligation.

Формы слова

Какое слово наиболее близко по значению?

Нет, это не так. 🙁

Верно! 😎

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Словесные ассоциации эффективны для пополнения словарного запаса, потому что они помогают быстро понимать слова и эффективно их запоминать.

ru

Respite may look like it rhymes with despite, but this word has a stress on its first syllable (RES-pit). It comes from the Latin word respectus, meaning refuge, but we almost always use respite to describe a time, not a place, of relief. If you’ve been fighting with your partner, a visit from a friend might offer a brief respite from the argument, but the fight will pick up again when she leaves.

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res·pite

 (rĕs′pĭt)

n.

1. A usually short period of rest or relief. See Synonyms at pause.

2. Law

a. Temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence.

b. Forbearance or delay, as granted in the payment of a debt.

tr.v. res·pit·ed, res·pit·ing, res·pites

1. To delay (a legal sentence, for example); postpone.

2. To grant a respite to (someone).

adj.

Relating to or being a respite: respite care.


[Middle English, from Old French respit, from Latin respectus, refuge, looking back; see respect.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

respite

(ˈrɛspɪt; -paɪt)

n

1. a pause from exertion; interval of rest

2. a temporary delay

3. a temporary stay of execution; reprieve

vb

(tr) to grant a respite to; reprieve

[C13: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus a looking back; see respect]

ˈrespiteless adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

res•pite

(ˈrɛs pɪt)

n., v. -pit•ed, -pit•ing. n.

1. a delay or cessation for a time, esp. of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief.

2. temporary suspension of a death sentence; reprieve; stay.

v.t.

3. to relieve temporarily, esp. from anything distressing or trying.

4. to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.); postpone.

[1200–50; (n.) Middle English respit < Old French < Latin respectus (see respect); (v.) Middle English < Old French respitier < Latin respectāre, frequentative of respicere to look back; see respect]

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Respite

 

busman’s holiday A vacation or day off from work spent in an activity of the same nature as one’s usual occupation. There are Britishers who say that the regular driver of a London bus actually did spend one of his days off riding as a passenger alongside the driver who was taking his place, but thus far no evidence has been found to substantiate the story. The expression has been in use since 1893.

come up for air To take a breather, take five, take time out; to relax, rest, or enjoy a respite. The phrase implies that one has been so inundated with work or immersed in work that he is in danger of drowning, figuratively speaking; like an underwater swimmer or a diver he must pause to refresh himself and recoup his powers for the next lap.

hang up one’s hatchet See RETIREMENT.

pit stop A brief stop at a restaurant or rest area to break the monotony of an automobile trip and allow passengers to stretch their legs; a short stay at a place while en route to a distant destination. This expression derives from the auto racing pit referring to the area alongside a speedway where cars stop to be serviced or refueled.

rest on one’s oars To relax after strenuous exertion; to suspend one’s efforts temporarily; to take it easy for a while. Often this boating phrase is extended to mean ceasing one’s labors altogether, relying on the momentum of past performance to carry one along. In this sense it is virtually synonymous with rest on one’s laurels. Rest on one’s oars was used literally in the early 18th century, and figuratively shortly thereafter.

The managers of the usual autumn gathering of paintings … will rest on their oars. (Athenaeum, April, 1887)

Picturesque Expressions: A Thematic Dictionary, 1st Edition. © 1980 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

respite

Past participle: respited
Gerund: respiting

Imperative
respite
respite
Present
I respite
you respite
he/she/it respites
we respite
you respite
they respite
Preterite
I respited
you respited
he/she/it respited
we respited
you respited
they respited
Present Continuous
I am respiting
you are respiting
he/she/it is respiting
we are respiting
you are respiting
they are respiting
Present Perfect
I have respited
you have respited
he/she/it has respited
we have respited
you have respited
they have respited
Past Continuous
I was respiting
you were respiting
he/she/it was respiting
we were respiting
you were respiting
they were respiting
Past Perfect
I had respited
you had respited
he/she/it had respited
we had respited
you had respited
they had respited
Future
I will respite
you will respite
he/she/it will respite
we will respite
you will respite
they will respite
Future Perfect
I will have respited
you will have respited
he/she/it will have respited
we will have respited
you will have respited
they will have respited
Future Continuous
I will be respiting
you will be respiting
he/she/it will be respiting
we will be respiting
you will be respiting
they will be respiting
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been respiting
you have been respiting
he/she/it has been respiting
we have been respiting
you have been respiting
they have been respiting
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been respiting
you will have been respiting
he/she/it will have been respiting
we will have been respiting
you will have been respiting
they will have been respiting
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been respiting
you had been respiting
he/she/it had been respiting
we had been respiting
you had been respiting
they had been respiting
Conditional
I would respite
you would respite
he/she/it would respite
we would respite
you would respite
they would respite
Past Conditional
I would have respited
you would have respited
he/she/it would have respited
we would have respited
you would have respited
they would have respited

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun 1. respite - a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfortrespite — a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort

reprieve

relief, ease — the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress); «he enjoyed his relief from responsibility»; «getting it off his conscience gave him some ease»

2. respite - a pause from doing something (as work)respite — a pause from doing something (as work); «we took a 10-minute break»; «he took time out to recuperate»

time out, break, recess

pause — temporary inactivity

spring break — a week or more of recess during the spring term at school

3. respite - an interruption in the intensity or amount of somethingrespite — an interruption in the intensity or amount of something

abatement, hiatus, reprieve, suspension

break, interruption — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity; «the telephone is an annoying interruption»; «there was a break in the action when a player was hurt»

defervescence — abatement of a fever as indicated by a reduction in body temperature

remission, subsidence, remittal — an abatement in intensity or degree (as in the manifestations of a disease); «his cancer is in remission»

4. respite - a pause for relaxationrespite — a pause for relaxation; «people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests»

rest period, rest, relief

pause, suspension, intermission, interruption, break — a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

breather, breathing place, breathing space, breathing spell, breathing time, breath — a short respite

5. respite — the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment

reprieve

mercy, clemency, mercifulness — leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; «he threw himself on the mercy of the court»

law, jurisprudence — the collection of rules imposed by authority; «civilization presupposes respect for the law»; «the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order»

Verb 1. respite — postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution

reprieve

postpone, prorogue, put off, defer, set back, shelve, table, put over, remit, hold over — hold back to a later time; «let’s postpone the exam»

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

respite

noun

1. pause, break, rest, relief, halt, interval, relaxation, recess, interruption, lull, cessation, let-up (informal), breathing space, breather (informal), hiatus, intermission I rang home during a brief respite at work.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

respite

noun

1. A pause or interval, as from work or duty:

2. Temporary immunity from penalties:

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

مُهْلَة، فَتْرَة راحَه أو إسْتِراحَه

odklad

pausepusterum

hvíld, hlé

atokvėpis

atelpa

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

respite

[ˈrɛspaɪt] n

(= break) → répit m
there was no respite from …
There was absolutely no respite from the noise → Le bruit ne laissait aucun instant de répit.

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

respite

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

respite

(ˈrespait) , ((American) -pit) noun

a pause or rest.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

respite

n relevo, respiro, descanso; (V. también respite care bajo care.)

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

передышка, отсрочка, давать отсрочку

существительное

- передышка

a short period of respite — кратковременная передышка
to work without respite — работать без отдыха
to take a short respite from work — устроить передышку /перекур/
to give a respite to smb. — дать кому-л. временное облегчение /передышку/; отпустить (о боли)
his toothache gives him no respite — зубная боль у него не прекращается ни на минуту

- отсрочка

to get a respite — получить отсрочку
to grant a respite — дать отсрочку

- юр. отсрочка исполнения приговора

глагол

- дать отсрочку
- юр. отсрочивать исполнение (приговора)

to respite a condemned man — отложить казнь, дать отсрочку приговорённому

- откладывать

he will respite his answer till his return — он отложит ответ до своего возвращения

- давать временное облегчение

Мои примеры

Словосочетания

brief / temporary respite — короткая передышка  
without respite — без отдыха  
to allow / give respite — давать передышку  
request for respite — просьба об отсрочке платежа  
days of respite — дни отсрочки  
days respite — дни отсрочки  
grant a respite — дать отсрочку  
respite of jury — отсрочка заседания присяжных  
brief respite — краткая передышка  
respite a condemned man — отсрочить казнь осужденного; отложить казнь  

Примеры с переводом

There was no respite from the cold.

Нельзя было никуда деться от холода.

We allowed them no respite.

Мы им не давали передышки.

The execution was only respited a few months.

Исполнение было отложено только на несколько месяцев.

The pain went on without respite.

Боль всё никак не утихала.

The trip was a welcome respite from the pressures of work.

Эта поездка стала долгожданной передышкой от напряжённой работы.

The bad weather has continued without respite.

Погода не улучшилась ни на мгновение.

She went for a retreat at the monastery for a temporary respite from the moil of the modern world.

Она удалилась в монастырь, взяв временную передышку от вечной суеты современного мира.

We have a few days’ respite before we have to pay them.

У нас есть несколько дней отсрочки, прежде чем придётся им платить.

Eventide was their favorite time for enjoying a quiet respite in the backyard.

Вечер, когда можно было насладиться тихим отдыхом на заднем дворе, был их любимым временем суток.

What does the word respite mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word respite (pronunciation of respite: ˈrɛspɪt) is a noun that refers to a period of temporary delay or some interval of rest or relief. This word can also be used as a transitive verb to refer to the granting of some temporary relief period, or to put off or delay. This can also  be referred to as a short period of time, interval of relief, temporary cessation, delay of appearances, short period of rest, short delay, interval of temporary relief, rest period, lack of haste, relief from harm or discomfort, or even a 10-minute break from a difficult situation. This word is used in American English, and related words can be formed with different suffixes like ed or ing.

In a legal sense, this refers to the temporary suspension of the execution of a person, or the temporary suspension of the execution of a capital offender. A court or jury might decide to delay a death sentence for a variety of reasons. Respite is the proper term for this. This is the opposite of the execution of a sentence or some imposition of a sentence, and is a prolongation of time in reference to legal time. This delay of appearance to an obligation also addresses questions of due process. 

Many different languages also contain words that mean respite. You may notice that some of these words look and sound similar to the word respite. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases that look and sound similar while also having a similar meaning across languages. These are usually formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations for the word respite is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Serbo-Croatian: predah‎
  •  German: Aufschub‎ (masc.), Frist‎ (fem.), Atempause‎ (fem.), Bedenkzeit‎ (fem.)
  •  Finnish: lepotauko‎
  •  Tagalog: hingawas‎
  •  Portuguese: trégua‎ (fem.)
  •  French: répit‎ (masc.)
  •  Catalan: respir‎ (masc.)
  •  Mandarin: 暂缓‎ (zànhuǎn)
  •  Afrikaans: verposing‎
  •  Maori: tānga manawa‎
  •  Dutch: verademing‎
  •  Russian: переды́шка‎ (fem.), отсро́чка‎ (fem.)
  •  Scottish Gaelic: faochadh‎ (masc.)
  •  Italian: tregua‎ (fem.)
  •  Arabic: متنفس‎ (masc.)
  •  Swedish: andrum‎ (neut.)

What is the origin of the word respite?

According to Etymonline, the word respite has been used since the mid-13th century in Middle English as a noun. This comes from the Old French respit (in Modern French répit) meaning to delay or respect. This comes from the Latin respectus, which literally refers to the act of looking back at a person. This is the noun use of the past participle of respicere. The Latin respicere means to regard or consider, from the prefix re meaning back and specere meaning to look at. This comes from Proto-Indo-European roots, namely spek, meaning to observe. Related words include respect and respective. 

How can the word respite be used in a sentence? 

There are many different ways that the word respite can be used in a sentence. Below are many examples of respite. 

The actress was excited for her favorite adventure getaway after the acting gig she was toiling over – she needed some good celebrity respite and good food on the winter break.

A neurotypical person will not understand the same mental challenges autistics face, and the respite they need to recharge after overstimulation.

The throned president’s favorite place of respite was an Old West saloon in rural Idaho. He loved going unnoticed. 

The citizens were granted three days’ respite from the gales and rain; everyone had a temporary intermission of labor and went down to the lake. Even the weathermen yesterday found a temporary replacement.

The workers in the chambers couldn’t get a single moment’s respite from the pests; they were covered in bugs from head to toe.

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word respite?

There are many different words that a person can use in place of the word respite. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that mean the same thing as a given word or phrase. Synonyms are useful to know if you are trying to expand your vocabulary or avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word respite is provided by Thesaurus.

  • stop
  •  exculpation
  •  stay
  •  downtime
  •  truce
  •  lull
  •  adjournment
  •  rest
  •  ease
  •  interregnum
  •  relaxation
  •  delay
  •  pause
  •  letup
  •  cessation
  •  acquittal
  •  time
  •  interruption
  •  break
  •  immunity
  •  pardon
  •  recess
  •  breathing space
  •  intermission
  •  postponement
  •  halt
  •  time out
  •  moratorium
  •  interval
  •  deliverance
  •  discharge
  •  deferment
  •  hiatus
  •  reprieve
  •  deadlock
  •  ten
  •  coffee break
  •  forgiveness
  •  five
  •  protraction
  •  relief
  •  breather
  •  breath
  •  layoff
  •  release
  •  leisure
  •  suspension
  •  refuge
  •  abatement

There are also many different words that mean the opposite of the word respite. These opposite words are called antonyms. Antonyms are another great way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word respite is also provided by Thesaurus.

  • chastening
  •  sanction
  •  maltreatment
  •  what for
  •  penalty
  •  mortification
  •  punishment
  •  forfeiture
  •  just desserts
  •  abuse
  •  mulct
  •  short shrift
  •  chastisement
  •  castigation
  •  beating
  •  correction
  •  rod
  •  penance
  •  trial
  •  comeuppance
  •  slave labor
  •  victimization
  •  purgatory
  •  gallows
  •  pain
  •  disciplinary action
  •  retribution
  •  proof
  •  torture
  •  confiscation
  •  suffering
  •  sequestration
  •  discipline
  •  amercement
  •  ostracism
  •  rough treatment
  •  unhappiness
  •  forfeit
  •  hard work
  •  deprivation
  •  reparation
  •  punitive measures
  •  infliction
  •  lumps

Overall, the word respite refers to some period of temporary delay or an interval of rest or relief. This could refer to a vacation or brief period of rest, or it can be used in a legal sense to refer to the temporary suspension of the execution of some Capital offender. 

Sources:

  1. respite: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  2. RESPITE Synonyms: 57 Synonyms & Antonyms for RESPITE | Thesaurus 
  3. PUNISHMENT Synonyms: 50 Synonyms & Antonyms for PUNISHMENT | Thesaurus 
  4. Respite | Definition of Respite | Merriam-Webster 
  5. respite | Origin and meaning of respite | Online Etymology Dictionary 

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Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do’s and don’ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

noun

  • A brief pause or interval of rest, especially in the midst of something demanding or disagreeable
  • A postponement of something stressful or disagreeable, especially a punishment or repayment of a debt

verb

  • To cause a delay or create a break in something; to postpone

Usage

If you’ve ever found yourself lunging for the doors during the intermission of a bad play, you know how valuable a respite can be. When dealing with something unpleasant or difficult, simply barreling through it nonstop isn’t always the best strategy. Respiting yourself with a short break in the middle, or even delaying the start until you’re better prepared, can allow you to best direct your energies and fortify yourself for what’s to come.

Ah, how lovely a good respite can be! This word is most commonly used as a noun to describe a delay or break that happens in the middle of something. Respites are usually extremely welcome, as they most often occur during unpleasant or strenuous events. For example, you might get a respite in the form of an intermission during a long exam (like the GRE), a recess in the middle of a court hearing, or a hot cocoa break during an afternoon spent shoveling snow. Whatever the specific context, the word almost always conveys a sense of much needed recovery, an opportunity to soothe the nerves, rest the muscles, and generally prevent oneself from being overwhelmed. Unfortunately, though, you can count on a respite to come to an end: the implied break is always temporary and often brief, and after the respite is over your travails will most likely pick up right where they left off — but perhaps you will be better prepared to deal with them.

Sometimes, respite also refers to a postponement of, rather than an intermission in, an expected unpleasant event. This usage is often applied to the delay of something like a trial or the commencement of a prison sentence; for this reason, such a respite is often granted out of pity or clemency. Respite can also be used as a verb to describe the act of causing or granting a short break in disagreeable proceedings.

Example: Jackie used one of her vacation days to take off from work and enjoy a respite at the beach.

Example: Wiping sweat from his brow, Harry decided to take a respite from his yard work by sitting in the shade for a few minutes.

Example: The students applauded their teacher’s announcement that she would respite their exam for a few days.


Derivative Words

Respited: The preterit form of the verb respite describes a past action of postponement or rest.

Example: The coach respited his players by giving them a day off from training in the middle of the week.

Respiting: This form is used to describe when someone is currently engaged in suspending something or causing a break, or as a noun to describe the act of doing such a thing.

Example: Respiting the exam proved an imprudent decision, as most of the students ended up studying less.

Respites: This third-person present tense form of respite is used when a singular subject delays or causes a pause in something.

Example: The writer respites himself from his work by taking a walk several times each afternoon.

Origin

If you’re getting tired of complex, uncertain etymologies, respite might just give you a break. From its humble beginnings as the Latin respectus, which meant «regard,» «concern,» or «esteem,» (also the root of the English respect), the word made a simple journey into Old French. Its embodiment in this language, respit, also described a delay or a short rest, possibly indicating that the need to recover during an ordeal must be considered. Respite first appeared in English during the mid-1200s.

In Literature

From J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Fellowship of the Ring:

«Always after a defeat and a respite,» says Gandalf, «the shadow takes another shape and grows again.»

Here, respite is used to describe a short period of recovery which allows the evil to fortify itself for its next strike.

Mnemonic

  • Take relief in a respite
  • Respite is a rest from the tempest

Tags

Recovery, Recess, Pause, Delay, Labor Day, Legal


Bring out the linguist in you! What is your own interpretation of respite. Did you use respite in a game? Provide an example sentence or a literary quote.

Other forms: respited; respites; respiting

A respite is a break from something that’s difficult or unpleasant. If you’re cramming for exams, take an occasional walk to give yourself a respite from the intensity.

Respite may look like it rhymes with despite, but this word has a stress on its first syllable (RES-pit). It comes from the Latin word respectus, meaning refuge, but we almost always use respite to describe a time, not a place, of relief. If you’ve been fighting with your partner, a visit from a friend might offer a brief respite from the argument, but the fight will pick up again when she leaves.

Definitions of respite

  1. noun

    a pause from doing something (as work)

  2. noun

    a pause for relaxation

  3. noun

    a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort

    synonyms:

    reprieve

    see moresee less

    type of:

    ease, relief

    the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress)

  4. noun

    an interruption in the intensity or amount of something

  5. noun

    the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment

  6. verb

    postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘respite’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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