The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            I crave but four day's respite.       --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Temporary intermission of labor, or of any process or
      operation; interval of rest; pause; delay. "Without more
      respite." --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

            Some pause and respite only I require. --Denham.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
          [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Pause; interval; stop; cessation; delay; postponement;
        stay; reprieve.
        [1913 Webster]

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.
       [1913 Webster]

             Forty days longer we do respite you. --Shak.
       [1913 Webster]
   (c) To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. "To respite
       his day labor with repast." --Milton.
       [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

respite
    n 1: a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort [syn:
         reprieve, respite]
    2: a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute
       break"; "he took time out to recuperate" [syn: respite,
       recess, break, time out]
    3: an interruption in the intensity or amount of something [syn:
       suspension, respite, reprieve, hiatus, abatement]
    4: a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when
       they take time for short rests" [syn: respite, rest,
       relief, rest period]
    5: the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
       [syn: reprieve, respite]
    v 1: postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an
         execution [syn: reprieve, respite]

The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

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 incandescent 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