Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
The cancellation or postponement of a punishment.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A document authorizing such an action.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Relief from pain etc., especially temporary.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A cancellation or postponement of a proposed event undesired by many.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To cancel or postpone the punishment of someone, especially an execution.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To bring relief to someone.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To take back to prison (in lieu of execution).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To abandon or postpone plans to close, withdraw or abolish (something).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: respite
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: clemency, mercifulness, mercy
noun
a warrant granting postponement (usually to postpone the execution of the death sentence)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: warrant
noun
an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: suspension, respite, hiatus, abatement
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: interruption, break
Narrower terms: defervescence, remission, remittal, subsidence
noun
a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: respite
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: relief, ease
verb
relieve temporarily
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rescue, deliver
verb
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: respite
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: postpone, prorogue, hold over, put over, table, shelve, set back, defer, remit, put off
History
First use appears c. 1513 in the writings of Robert Fabyan. In the sense of “to take back to prison”, from Middle English repryen (“to remand, detain”) (1494), possibly from Middle French repris, in the form of reprendre (“take back”); a cognate to reprise. The sense has become generalized, but does retain connotations of punishment and execution. The noun's first use appears c. 1592.
Across languages
32 source translations are retained for this English entry.
