respite vs defer

respite is a noun but defer is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
respite	Yes	No	Yes	No
defer	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, defer is a hypernym of respite; that is, defer is a word with a broader meaning than respite:

respite: postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
defer: hold back to a later time

Other hypernyms of respite include hold over, postpone, prorogue, put off, put over, remit, set back, shelve, table.

respite (noun)	defer (noun)
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

respite (verb)	defer (verb)
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution	yield to another's wish or opinion
	hold back to a later time