I. rə̇ˈprēv, rēˈp- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration (perhaps influenced by obsolete English repreve to reprove, from Middle English repreven ) of earlier repry, perhaps from Middle French repris, past participle of reprendre to take back — more at reprise , reprove
1. obsolete : to put off (as something evil) : delay , postpone
since we cannot death reprieve — Katherine Philips
2. : to delay the punishment of (as a condemned prisoner) : suspend the execution of sentence on : respite
3. : to give relief or deliverance to for a time : preserve temporarily
whose hard hand reprieved the empire from its fate — Robert Browning
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : the act of reprieving or the state of being reprieved
b. : a formal temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence
the president … shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States — U.S. Constitution
especially : a remission or commutation of a capital sentence
c. : something resembling such a formal suspension : a respite from a decision or penalty
unless there is an eleventh-hour reprieve the … elevated will cease operating at midnight — New York Times
2. : an order or warrant for a formal suspension (as of a capital sentence)
a messenger was dispatched with a reprieve — American Guide Series: Connecticut
3. : a respite or temporary escape (as from death, pain, or trouble)
the first relief over the reprieve from a railway strike — Blackwood's