Lewis & Short

rēspīrātĭo, ōnis, f. [respiro].

  1. I. Lit., a breathing out, exhaling; hence, in gen., breathing, respiration, Cic. Univ. 6; Plin. 9, 7, 6, § 18; Quint. 9, 4, 67 (with spiritus); 11, 3, 39; 53; 63; Cael. Aur. Acut. 2, 3, 16; 2, 32, 167.
    1. * B. Transf., exhalation: aquarum, Cic. N. D. 2, 10, 27.
  2. II. Trop., a breathing in the course of an action, i. e. a taking breath, resting; an intermission, pause: in suo quisque gradu obnixi sine respiratione ac respectu pugnabant, Liv. 8, 38.
    So of a pause in speaking: morae respirationesque delectant, Cic. Or. 16, 53; cf. Quint. 7, 9, 11; 11, 3, 49.