breathing spell vs respite

breathing spell and respite both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
breathing spell	Yes	No	No	No
respite	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, respite is a hypernym of breathing spell; that is, respite is a word with a broader meaning than breathing spell:

Other hypernyms of breathing spell include relief, rest, rest period.

breathing spell (noun)	respite (noun)
a short respite	a pause from doing something (as work)
	the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
	an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
	a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
	a pause for relaxation

breathing spell (verb)	respite (verb)
	postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution