different between reprieve vs mercifulness

English

Alternative forms

• repryve (obsolete), reprive (rare)

Etymology

1571, in sense of “to take back to prison”, from Middle English repryen (“to remand, detain”) (1494), probably from Middle French repris, form of reprendre (“take back”); cognate to reprise. Sense generalized, but retains connotations of punishment and execution. Noun attested 1598. Compare to Latin privare.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???p?i?v/
• Hyphenation: re?prieve

Verb

reprieve (third-person singular simple present reprieves, present participle reprieving, simple past and past participle reprieved)

1. (transitive) To cancel or postpone the punishment of someone, especially an execution.
2. (transitive) To bring relief to someone.

   • Company […] may reprieve a man from his melancholy, yet it cannot secure him from his conscience.

3. (transitive, obsolete) To take back to prison (in lieu of execution).

Derived terms

• reprieval

Related terms

• reprise
• reprisal
• reprehend

Noun

reprieve (plural reprieves)

(Can we add an example for this sense?)

1. The cancellation or postponement of a punishment.
2. A document authorizing such an action.
3. Relief from pain etc., especially temporary.

Translations

References

English

Etymology

From Middle English mercyfulnes, mercyfullenesse, equivalent to merciful +? -ness.

Noun

mercifulness (plural mercifulnesses)

1. The state of being merciful; mercy.