*repriev*

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Reprieved p. pr. & vb. n. Reprieving. ] [ OE. repreven to reject, disallow, OF. reprover to blame, reproach, condemn (pres. il reprueve), F. réprouver 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 ]

n. 1. A temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence, especially of a sentence of death. [ 1913 Webster ]

The morning Sir John Hotham was to die, a reprieve was sent to suspend the execution for three days. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Interval of ease or relief; respite. [ 1913 Webster ]

All that I ask is but a short reprieve,
ll I forget to love, and learn to grieve. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]