资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.