“The term reprieve is derived from reprendre, to keep back, and signifies the withdrawing of the sentence for an interval of time, and operates in delay of execution.” 1 Joseph Chitty, A Practical Treatise on the Criminal Law 757 (2d ed. 1826).
reprieve
reprieve (ri-preev), n. Temporary postponement of the carrying out of a criminal sentence, esp. a death sentence. Cf. COMMUTATION(2); PARDON. [Cases: Pardon and Parole 27. C.J.S. Pardon and Parole §§ 3, 32–33.] — reprieve, vb.
