Webster's English Dictionary

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respite

1. re.spite \'res-p*t also ri-'spi-t, 'res-.pi-t\ n [ME respit, fr. OF, fr. 
   ML respectus, fr. L, act of looking back ]- more at RESPECT 1: a temporary 
   delay : POSTPONEMENT; specif : REPRIEVEM 2: an interval of rest or relief 
2. respite vt 1: to grant a respite to  2: to put off : DELAY