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reprieve |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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}.] 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Reprieve \Re*prieve"\ (r?-pr?v"), n. 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: reprieve n 1: a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort [syn: {respite}] 2: an interruption in the intensity or amount of something [syn: {suspension}, {respite}, {hiatus}, {abatement}] 3: a warrant granting postponement (usually to postpone the execution of the death sentence) 4: the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment [syn: {respite}] v 1: postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution [syn: {respite}] 2: relieve temporarily
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