Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RES'PIT, v.t.

1. To relieve by a pause or interval of rest. To respit his day labor with repast. – Milton.
2. To suspend the execution of a criminal beyond the time limited by the sentence; to delay for a time. – Clarendon. If the court may respit for a day, they may for a year. – Clinton.
3. To give delay of appearance at court; as, to respit a jury. – Blackstone.