The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
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             Forty days longer we do respite you. --Shak.
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   (c) To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. "To respite
       his day labor with repast." --Milton.
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