sursis

reprieve, stay of execution

noun soor-SEE Rare

Also means

suspended sentence

Usage Note

Sursis (invariable — the plural is identical) is a legal term for a suspended sentence or a reprieve: un sursis avec mise à l'épreuve is a suspended sentence with probation. More broadly it means a temporary postponement of something unpleasant. Vivre en sursis ('to live on borrowed time') is a common figurative expression.

Examples

"Il a eu six mois avec sursis."

Natural Translation

He was given a six-month suspended sentence.

Literal Translation

He had six months with reprieve.

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