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respite |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Respite \Res"pite\ (r?s"p?t), n. [OF. respit, F. r['e]pit, 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. I crave but four day's respite. --Shak. 2. Temporary intermission of labor, or of any process or operation; interval of rest; pause; delay. ``Without more respite.'' --Chaucer. Some pause and respite only I require. --Denham. 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. Syn: Pause; interval; stop; cessation; delay; postponement; stay; reprieve. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Respite \Res"pite\, 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. Forty days longer we do respite you --Shak. c To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. ``To respite his day labor with repast.'' --Milton. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: respite n 1: a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort [syn: {reprieve}] 2: a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate" [syn: {recess}, {break}, {time out}] 3: an interruption in the intensity or amount of something [syn: {suspension}, {reprieve}, {hiatus}, {abatement}] 4: a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests" [syn: {rest}, {relief}, {rest period}] 5: the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment [syn: {reprieve}] v 1: postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution [syn: {reprieve}] 2: grant a respite to From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]: RESPITE, n. A suspension of hostilities against a sentenced assassin, to enable the Executive to determine whether the murder may not have been done by the prosecuting attorney. Any break in the continuity of a disagreeable expectation. Altgeld upon his incandescend bed Lay, an attendant demon at his head. "O cruel cook, pray grant me some relief -- Some respite from the roast, however brief." "Remember how on earth I pardoned all Your friends in Illinois when held in thrall." "Unhappy soul! for that alone you squirm O'er fire unquenched a never-dying worm. "Yet, for I pity your uneasy state, Your doom I'll mollify and pains abate. "Naught, for a season, shall your comfort mar, Not even the memory of who you are." Throughout eternal space dread silence fell; Heaven trembled as Compassion entered Hell. "As long, sweet demon, let my respite be As governing down here I'd respite thee." "As long, poor soul, as any of the pack You thrust from jail consumed in getting back." A genial chill affected Altgeld's hide While they were turning him on t'other side Joel Spate Woop
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