/ˈrespɪt/
res·pite
BrE /ˈrespaɪt/
NAmE /ˈrespɪt/
[sing., U]
~ (from sth)
a short break or escape from sth difficult or unpleasant
The drug brought a brief respite from the pain.
There was no respite from the suffocating heat.
She continued to work without respite.
respite care (= temporary care arranged for old, mentally ill, etc. people so that the people who usually care for them can have a rest)
restbreak ◇ respite ◇ time out ◇ breathing space
These are all words for a short period of time spent relaxing.
rest a period of relaxing, sleeping or doing nothing after a period of activity：
We stopped for a well-earned rest.
break a short period of time when you stop what you are doing and rest or eat：
Let’s take a break.
NOTE In British English break is a period of time between lessons at school. The North American English word is recess.
respite a short break from sth difficult or unpleasant：
The drug brought a brief respite from the pain.
time out (informal, especially NAmE) time for resting or relaxing away from your usual work or studies：
Take time out to relax by the pool.
breathing space a short rest in the middle of a period of mental or physical effort：
This delay gives the party a breathing space in which to sort out its policies.
Patterns
(a) rest/break/respite/time out from sth
to have/take (a) rest/break/time out
to give sb (a) rest/break/respite/breathing space
a short delay allowed before sth difficult or unpleasant must be done
SYN reprieve
His creditors agreed to give him a temporary respite.