rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryreprieveTemporary relief
noun / verb

reprieve

rih-PREEV/riprˈiv/

A temporary delay of punishment or relief from hardship or danger.

The official grants a reprieve, temporarily halting the impending punishment.

Prison official pauses impending punishment with raised stop hand and reprieve document.
Etymology
reprieveMiddle Englishto remand, detain

Middle English repryen meant to remand or detain. Postponement of punishment probably developed because returning someone to prison was an alternative to execution; the noun later broadened to a temporary respite.

In context

MSU Department of English85:38
… home for your two-hour reprieve from the nursing home prison we're sitting at the picnic table in the backyard …
Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry - Readings and Panel Discussions

More examples

  • The governor reprieves the prisoner while the court reviews new evidence.
  • A payment extension gives us a reprieve from the threat of eviction.
  • These short breaks offer welcome reprieves from the noise.

Forms

reprieve · reprieves · reprieved · reprieving

Similar words

respite
Emphasizes a short rest from difficulty rather than delayed punishment.
stay
Usually an official order temporarily halting legal proceedings or punishment.
relief
Describes reduced suffering or danger without necessarily being temporary.