Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
 
Help
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

reprieve

 - 5 dictionary results

re⋅prieve

  [ri-preev] verb, -prieved, -priev⋅ing, noun
Use reprieve in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to delay the impending punishment or sentence of (a condemned person).
2. to relieve temporarily from any evil.
–noun
3. a respite from impending punishment, as from execution of a sentence of death.
4. a warrant authorizing this.
5. any respite or temporary relief.
Origin:
1300–50; perh. conflation of ME repreven to reprove, appar. taken in literal sense “to test again” (involving postponement), and ME repried (ptp.) < OF reprit (see reprise )

Related forms:
re⋅priev⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
3. See pardon. 5. delay, postponement, stay, deferment.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reprieve
re·prieve   (rĭ-prēv')   
tr.v.   re·prieved, re·priev·ing, re·prieves

  1. To postpone or cancel the punishment of.

  2. To bring relief to.

n.  

    1. Postponement or cancellation of a punishment.

    2. A warrant for such an action.

  2. Temporary relief, as from danger or pain.


[Alteration (influenced by Middle English repreven, to contradict, variant of reproven, to rebuke) of Middle English reprien, probably from Old French repris, past participle of reprendre, to take back, from Latin reprehendere, reprēndere, to hold back; see reprehend.]
re·priev'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

reprieve  (v.)
1571, "take back to prison," from M.E. repryen "to remand, detain" (1494), probably from M.Fr. repris, pp. of reprendre "take back" (see reprise). Meaning "to suspend an impending execution" is recorded from 1596. Sense evolved because being sent back to prison was the alternative to being executed. The noun is first attested 1598.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·prieve
Pronunciation: ri-'prEv
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: re·prieved; re·priev·ing
Etymology: alteration of earlier repry to send back (to prison), return to custody, perhaps from Anglo-French repris, past participle of reprendre to take back, from Old French
: to delay the punishment of (as a condemned prisoner)

Main Entry: reprieve
Function: noun
1 a : the act of reprieving : the state of being reprieved b : a formal temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence esp. of death as an act of clemency
2 : an order or warrant of reprieve
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see reprieve on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way