definitions

reprieve

[ ri-preev ]
/ rɪˈpriv /
||
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verb (used with object), re·prieved, re·priev·ing.

to delay the impending punishment or sentence of (a condemned person).
to relieve temporarily from any evil.

noun

a respite from impending punishment, as from execution of a sentence of death.
a warrant authorizing this.
any respite or temporary relief.

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RELATED WORDS

remission, pardon, deferment, postponement, abatement, respite, clemency, suspension, amnesty, truce, absolution, mitigation, alleviation, spring, stay, commute, acquittal, abeyance, release, clearance

Nearby words

repression, repressive, repressor, repressor gene, reprieval, reprieve, reprimand, reprint, reprisal, reprise, repristinate

Origin of reprieve

1300–50; perhaps conflation of Middle English repreven to reprove, apparently taken in literal sense “to test again” (involving postponement), and Middle English repried (past participle) < Old French reprit (see reprise)

SYNONYMS FOR reprieve

3 See pardon.
5 delay, postponement, stay, deferment.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reprieve ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·priev·er, nounun·re·prieved, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for reprieve

British Dictionary definitions for reprieve

reprieve

/ (rɪˈpriːv) /

verb (tr)

to postpone or remit the punishment of (a person, esp one condemned to death)
to give temporary relief to (a person or thing), esp from otherwise irrevocable harmthe government has reprieved the company with a huge loan

noun

a postponement or remission of punishment, esp of a person condemned to death
a warrant granting a postponement
a temporary relief from pain or harm; respite
the act of reprieving or the state of being reprieved

Derived Forms

reprievable, adjectiverepriever, noun

Word Origin for reprieve

C16: from Old French repris (something) taken back, from reprendre to take back, from Latin reprehendere; perhaps also influenced by obsolete English repreve to reprove
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012