reprieve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
    respite.
  2. noun an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
    suspension; abatement; hiatus; respite.
  3. noun a warrant granting postponement (usually to postpone the execution of the death sentence)
  4. noun the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
    respite.
  5. verb postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
    respite.
  6. verb relieve temporarily

WordNet

Re*prieve transitive verb
Etymology
OE. repreven to reject, disallow, OF. reprover to blame, reproach, condemn (pres. il reprueve), F. réprouver to disapprove, fr. L. reprobare to reject, condemn; pref. re- re- + probare to try, prove. See Prove, and cf. Reprove, Reprobate.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Reprieved present participle & verbal noun Reprieving
Definitions
  1. To delay the punishment of; to suspend the execution of sentence on; to give a respite to; to respite; as, to reprieve a criminal for thirty days.
    He reprieves the sinnner from time to time. Rogers.
  2. To relieve for a time, or temporarily.
    Company, thought it may reprieve a man from his melaneholy yet can not secure him from his conscience. South.
Re*prieve" noun
Definitions
  1. A temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence, especially of a sentence of death.
    The morning Sir John Hotham was to die, a reprieve was sent to suspend the execution for three days. Clarendon.
  2. Interval of ease or relief; respite.
    All that I ask is but a short reprieve, ll I forget to love, and learn to grieve. Denham.

Webster 1913