# respite

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹɛsˌpaɪt/ · frequency rank #23,084

## Definitions
1. A brief interval of rest or relief.
2. A reprieve, especially from a sentence of death.
3. The delay of appearance at court granted to a jury beyond the proper term.
4. A short period of spoken dialogue in an otherwise sung-through musical.

## Etymology
From Anglo-Norman and Old French respit (“rest”), from Latin respectus. Doublet of respect.

## Easily confused with
- **rewrite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/respite-vs-rewrite)
- **reunite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/respite-vs-reunite)
- **reside** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reside-vs-respite)
- **recite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/recite-vs-respite)
- **repute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/repute-vs-respite)

## Common misspellings (10)
`erspite`, `repsite`, `resipte`, `respiet`, `respitte`, `resppite`, `resptie`, `resspite`, `rrespite`, `rsepite`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/respite