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1. A (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
   - reprieve
    
2. A pause from doing something (as work)
   "we took a 10-minute respite"
   - recess, break, time out
    
3. An interruption in the intensity or amount of something
   - suspension, reprieve, hiatus, abatement
    
4. A pause for relaxation
   "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short respites"
   - rest, relief, rest period
    
5. The act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
   - reprieve

1. Postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
   - reprieve

Derived forms: respiting, respited, respites

Type of: break, clemency, defer, ease, hold over, intermission, interruption, mercifulness, mercy, pause, postpone, prorogue, put off, put over, relief, remit, set back, shelve, suspension, table [N. Amer]

Encyclopedia: Respite