WordNet
n. an order whereby a judgment is precluded from being executed for a specific period of time
Wikipedia
A stay of execution is a court order to temporarily suspend the execution of a court judgment or other court order. The word "execution" does not necessarily mean the death penalty; it refers to the imposition of whatever judgment is being stayed.
A stay can be granted automatically by operation of law or conventionally, when the parties in a civil or criminal case agree that no execution shall occur for a certain period. If a party appeals a decision, any judgment issued by the original court may be stayed until the appeal is resolved.
Usage examples of "stay of execution".
I even thought sometimes of calling the governor (or getting Percy to do it - hell, he was Percy's damn uncle, not mine) and asking for a stay of execution.
But now it was a week before Christmas, and my stay of execution was over.
He had no idea what pressing business had called theBellingham away, but he felt as though he and his entire extended family had just been granted a stay of execution.
Mary, hearing of it from Gardiner, who pleaded with her to spare him, contemplated a stay of execution, but Renard, whose advice she now heeded more than any other's, insisted that she let the law take its course.
You and Jeggred are going to receive a stay of execution, just as I did back in Menzoberranzan.
Unless, of course, his friends would like to intervene and request a stay of execution.
But at last she turned those pale eyes on him as a prisoner pleads wordlessly for a stay of execution.
Lex kissed me on the cheek this time, a glint of mischief in his eyes at what he seemed to see as a stay of execution.
After all, why would you have bothered to earn me a stay of execution if you didn't need me?