WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Re*prieve (r-prv")
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [OE. repreven to reject, disallow, OF. reprover to blame, reproach, condemn (pres. il reprueve), F. r?prouver to disapprove, fr. L. reprobare to reject, condemn; pref. re- re- + probare to try, prove. See Prove, and cf. Reprove, Reprobate.]
Definition : 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.

t. [imp. & p. p. Reprieved (-prvd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Reprieving.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Re*prieve" (r-prv")
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913