mass noun
1- a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant暂息：
the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering
难民宿营地将暂时缓解（难民的）痛苦
in sing. a brief respite from a dire food shortage.严重食品短缺的短暂缓解。
1.1
- a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out（债务等的）暂缓履行; （刑罚的）暂缓执行。
with obj.
1- rare postpone (a sentence, obligation, etc.)〈罕〉暂缓执行（判决）; 暂缓履行（义务等）：
the execution was only respited a few months.
死刑仅被缓期几个月执行。
1.1
- archaic grant a delay or extension of time to; reprieve from death or execution〈古〉把…推迟（或延期）; 获（死刑的）缓期执行：
some poor criminal ... from the gibbet or the wheel, respited for a day.
某可怜罪犯…从绞刑台或轮式刑车, 获一天缓刑。
词源
Middle English: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus 'refuge, consideration'.