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'eprouver to disapprove, fr. L. reprobare to reject, condemn; pref. re- re- + probare to try, prove. See Prove, and cf. Reprove, Reprobate.]
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.
© Webster 1913.
Re*prieve" (r?-pr?v"), n.
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.