Reprieve word meaning and definition

[noun] the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
[noun] a warrant granting postponement (usually to postpone the execution of the death sentence)
[noun] an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
[noun] a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
[verb] postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
[verb] relieve temporarily

\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}.] 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"\ (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.

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