Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.