The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - respite n.

1) interval, intermission, break, interruption, recess, breather, rest; holiday, Chiefly US and Canadian vacation: I haven't had a moment's respite since six o'clock this morning. We are planning a brief respite from work in August. 2) pause, delay, hiatus, stay, extension, reprieve, postponement: After a ten-minute respite, the infernal noise began again.