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.

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