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 ]

    reprieve (v.)

  1. postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution

    [ Syn: respite ]

  2. relieve temporarily

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.