respite

respite

---

Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "respite" is:

• ˈrɛspaɪt

Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:

• res- (ˈrɛs)

• ˈr: voiced alveolar approximant

• ɛ: open-mid front unrounded vowel

• s: voiceless alveolar fricative

• -pite (-paɪt)

• paɪ: diphthong, starting with a near-open front unrounded vowel and moving to a near-close front unrounded vowel.

• t: voiceless alveolar plosive

---

Word Form Variations

• Noun:

• "respite" (singular): This is the most common form, referring to a period of rest or relief.

• "respites" (plural): This form is used when referring to multiple periods of rest or relief.

• Verb:

• "respite" (verb, transitive): to grant a temporary period of relief to.

• "respited" (past tense)

• "respiting" (present participle)

• Adjective:

• It is also used in adjectival form, most commonly in the term "respite care".

Therefore, the main variations are:

• respite (noun, singular)

• respites (noun, plural)

• respited (verb past tense)

• respiting (verb present participle)

---

---

Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun:

• Definition:

• A temporary period of relief from something difficult, stressful, or unpleasant.

• A brief pause or break in an ongoing activity.

• Synonyms:

• Relief, break, pause, interval, rest, reprieve, lull, hiatus, recess, breather.

• Antonyms:

• Continuation, persistence, endurance, strain, pressure, exertion, intensification.

Verb:

• Definition:

• To provide temporary relief or a pause from something burdensome.

• To postpone or delay something.

• Synonyms:

• Relieve, alleviate, ease, suspend, postpone, delay, reprieve, interrupt.

• Antonyms:

• Continue, proceed, enforce, hasten, accelerate, perpetuate.

Adjective:

• Definition:

• Providing or related to temporary relief. (Often used in the context of "respite care")

• relating to short term assistance.

• Synonyms:

• temporary, relieving, short term, aiding.

• Antonyms:

• permanent, lasting, continuous.

Example usage:

• "The weekend offered a welcome respite from the pressures of work." (Noun)

• "The judge respited the sentence." (Verb)

• "Respite care was provided to the family." (Adjective)

---

Examples of Use

Newspapers and Online Publications:

• "The bad weather has continued without respite." (Source: Merriam-Webster)

• "Sunday brought a brief respite with calmer winds and a break in the heat." (Source: USA TODAY)

• "His one place of respite was the tiny library on the shelter's top floor." (Source: The New York Times)

• "Squats and lifts became her respite, a way to calm her mind." (Source: The Washington Post)

• "For me, the only true respite from the world is a cold, dark movie theater." (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

• "Respite care provides relief for parents and caretakers who care for individuals with special needs." (Source: YourDictionary.com)

General Public Discourse:

• "We all need a little respite from the constant news cycle." (Common conversational usage)

• "Respite care is a vital service for families dealing with long-term illness." (Public service discussions)

• "Taking a walk in nature can provide a much-needed respite from the stress of daily life." (General health and wellness discourse)

Contextual Observations:

• As shown in the search results, "respite" is often used in the context of weather, where a break in harsh conditions is described.

• It is also very commonly used in the context of care giving, where care givers need "respite care" to provide them with breaks from the demands of caring for others.

• The word is used to describe a break from stressful situations of all kinds.

---

---

10 Famous Quotes Using Respite

1. "Sleep, that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care, sore labor’s bath, balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast, brings respite to weary souls." — William Shakespeare, Macbeth

2. "Respite is the reward of toil." — Latin Proverb

3. "Every duty which is bidden to wait returns with seven fresh duties at its back. Rest, but do not let respite turn to idleness." — Charles Kingsley

4. "In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you; it is the only true respite." — Deepak Chopra

5. "Respite is not escape, but a gathering of strength for the return." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. "To grant respite is not weakness; it is wisdom that knows mercy." — Victor Hugo

7. "The mind that seeks knowledge without respite may know facts but will never know peace." — Aristotle

8. "Respite, like dawn, is brief — but it renews the courage to march on." — Winston Churchill

9. "I long for the respite of solitude, where thoughts can settle like dust after a storm." — Emily Dickinson

10. "Even the warrior lays down his sword for respite; even the saint seeks a moment of silence." — Mahatma Gandhi

---

Etymology

Let's break down the history of "respite" in a simple way!

Basically, "respite" comes from the Old French word "respit," which meant "delay" or "reprieve." That Old French word then came from the Latin "respectus," which meant "a looking back" or "consideration."

Think of it like this: originally, "respite" had a sense of pausing or holding off on something, like when a judge would delay a sentence. This "looking back" or "considering" implied a temporary pause.

The first known use of "respite" in English was around the 13th century, where it kept that initial meaning of a delay or a temporary break, especially from something difficult. Over time, it shifted to its more modern meaning of a period of rest or relief.

So, it went from a legal term about delaying something, to a broader term meaning any kind of temporary break or relief.

---

---

Phrases + Idioms Containing Respite

Phrases Using "Respite":

• A brief respite: This is a very common phrase, emphasizing the temporary nature of the relief.

• A welcome respite: This highlights the positive feeling associated with the break.

• Without respite: This phrase emphasizes the continuous nature of something, with no breaks.

• To offer respite: This phrase indicates the act of providing relief.

• To seek respite: This indicates the act of trying to find relief.

• Respite care: A common phrase relating to caregiving.

• A moment of respite: A short break.

Why "Respite" Isn't Idiomatic:

• "Respite" is a relatively formal word, and idioms tend to be more colloquial.

• The concept of "respite" is fairly straightforward: a break or relief. Idioms often rely on metaphorical or figurative language, which doesn't align well with the direct meaning of "respite."

Idioms with Synonyms (For Similar Effect):

Since "respite" is difficult to work into idioms, here are some idioms that convey the idea of a break or relief:

• To catch one's breath: (Meaning: to take a short break)

• To take a breather: (Meaning: to pause for rest)

• To have a break: (Meaning: to take a rest period)

• A lull in the storm: (Meaning: a temporary period of calm during a difficult time)

• To take a load off: (Meaning: to relax)

• To have a moment of peace: (Meaning: to have a short time of tranquility)

Original Phrases:

• A respite from the digital deluge: (Meaning: a break from constant online information)

• The respite of quiet contemplation: (Meaning: the relief found in peaceful thinking)

• A mental respite: (Meaning: a break for the mind)

While "respite" itself doesn't feature in many idioms, the concept of relief and breaks is expressed through various other common phrases.

---

Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

---

Source Information

Definition of respite from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

---