remission

Universal Words noun [U,C] 1 a period during which a serious illness improves for a time and the patient seems to get better: The patient has been in remission for the past six months. * The symptoms reappeared after only a short remission. * a period of remission 2 (BrE) a reduction in the amount of time sb spends in prison, especially because they have behaved well: With remission for good behaviour, he could be out by the end of the year. * She has been granted a remission of sentence. * He lost two months' remission after he attacked another prisoner. 3 (formal) an act of reducing or cancelling the amount of money that sb has to pay: New businesses may qualify for tax remission. * There is a partial remission of fees for overseas students.