res·pite (r s p t)n. 1. A usually short interval of rest or relief. See Synonyms at pause. 2. Law Temporary suspension of a death sentence; a reprieve. tr.v. res·pit·ed, res·pit·ing, res·pites To delay; postpone. [Middle English, from Old French respit, from Latin respectus, refuge, looking back; see respect.] |
respite [ˈrɛspɪt -paɪt]
Respite
busman’s holiday A vacation or day off from work spent in an activity of the same nature as one’s usual occupation. There are Britishers who say that the regular driver of a London bus actually did spend one of his days off riding as a passenger alongside the driver who was taking his place, but thus far no evidence has been found to substantiate the story. The expression has been in use since 1893.
come up for air To take a breather, take five, take time out; to relax, rest, or enjoy a respite. The phrase implies that one has been so inundated with work or immersed in work that he is in danger of drowning, figuratively speaking; like an underwater swimmer or a diver he must pause to refresh himself and recoup his powers for the next lap.
hang up one’s hatchet See RETIREMENT.
pit stop A brief stop at a restaurant or rest area to break the monotony of an automobile trip and allow passengers to stretch their legs; a short stay at a place while en route to a distant destination. This expression derives from the auto racing pit referring to the area alongside a speedway where cars stop to be serviced or refueled.
rest on one’s oars To relax after strenuous exertion; to suspend one’s efforts temporarily; to take it easy for a while. Often this boating phrase is extended to mean ceasing one’s labors altogether, relying on the momentum of past performance to carry one along. In this sense it is virtually synonymous with rest on one’s laurels. Rest on one’s oars was used literally in the early 18th century, and figuratively shortly thereafter.
The managers of the usual autumn gathering of paintings … will rest on their oars. (Athenaeum, April, 1887)
| Noun | 1. |  respite - a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort |
| 2. |  respite - a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate"pause - temporary inactivity spring break - a week or more of recess during the spring term at school | |
| 3. |  respite - an interruption in the intensity or amount of somethingbreak, interruption - some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity; "the telephone is an annoying interruption"; "there was a break in the action when a player was hurt" defervescence - abatement of a fever as indicated by a reduction in body temperature remission, subsidence, remittal - an abatement in intensity or degree (as in the manifestations of a disease); "his cancer is in remission" | |
| 4. |  respite - a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests"pause, suspension, intermission, interruption, break - a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something breather, breathing place, breathing space, breathing spell, breathing time, breath - a short respite | |
| 5. | respite - the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment mercy, clemency, mercifulness - leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; "he threw himself on the mercy of the court" law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" | |
| Verb | 1. | respite - postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution |
respite
without respite → sin descanso
to get no respite → no tener alivio, no poder descansar
we got no respite from the heat → el calor apenas nos dejó respirar
they gave us no respite → no nos dejaron respirar
without respite → senza tregua or requie
they gave us no respite → non ci hanno dato tregua
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