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. réprouver 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.