Reprieving

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Reprieve \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}.]


     [1913 Webster]
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He reprieves the sinnner from time to time.
                                                    --Rogers.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To relieve for a time, or temporarily.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Company, thought it may reprieve a man from his
              melaneholy yet can not secure him from his
              conscience.                           --South.
        [1913 Webster]