The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Reprieve \Re*prieve\ (r?-pr?v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reprieved
   (-pr?vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Reprieving.] [OE. repreven to
   reject, disallow, OF. reprover to blame, reproach, condemn
   (pres. il reprueve), F. r['e]prouver to disapprove, fr. L.
   reprobare to reject, condemn; pref. re- re- + probare to try,
   prove. See Prove, and cf. Reprove, Reprobate.]
   [1913 Webster]
   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.
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            He reprieves the sinnner from time to time.
                                                  --Rogers.
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   2. To relieve for a time, or temporarily.
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            Company, thought it may reprieve a man from his
            melaneholy yet can not secure him from his
            conscience.                           --South.
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