reprieve

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: respitesuspensionhiatusabatement

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfortSynonyms: respite
  2. an interruption in the intensity or amount of somethingSynonyms: suspensionrespitehiatusabatement
  3. a warrant granting postponement (usually to postpone the execution of the death sentence)
  4. the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishmentSynonyms: respite

Verb (2)

  1. postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an executionSynonyms: respite
  2. relieve temporarily
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

He reprieves the sinnner from time to time.— Rogers.[1913 Webster]

2.To relieve for a time, or temporarily. [1913 Webster]

Company, thought it may reprieve a man from his melaneholy yet can not secure him from his conscience.— South.[1913 Webster]
Reprieve \Re*prieve"\ (r?-pr?v"), n.

1.A temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence, especially of a sentence of death. [1913 Webster]

The morning Sir John Hotham was to die, a reprieve was sent to suspend the execution for three days.— Clarendon.[1913 Webster]

2.Interval of ease or relief; respite. [1913 Webster]

All that I ask is but a short reprieve, ll I forget to love, and learn to grieve.— Denham.[1913 Webster]
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