suspensive

[ suh-spen-siv ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by suspension.
2. undecided in mind.
3. pertaining to or characterized by suspense.
4. (of words, phrases, etc.) characterized by or expressing suspense; keeping the reader or listener in suspense.
5. having the effect of suspending the operation of something.

suspensive

/ səˈspɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. having the power of deferment; effecting suspension
2. causing, characterized by, or relating to suspense
3. inclined to defer judgment; undecided

Derived Forms

• susˈpensively, adverb
• susˈpensiveness, noun

Other Words From

• sus·pensive·ly adverb
• sus·pensive·ness noun
• nonsus·pensive adjective
• nonsus·pensive·ly adverb
• nonsus·pensive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspensive¹

1540–50; < Medieval Latin suspēnsīvus, equivalent to suspēns ( us ) ( suspense ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

An appeal has no suspensive effect, meaning people can be deporting during a pending trial.

From Seattle Times

“We intend to examine our options, including our likely decision to file a suspensive appeal of this judgment before the deadline of Aug. 26.”

From Seattle Times

“We appealed suspensively, which means we have continued to pay him the corrected and reduced amount of his benefit,” she wrote in an email.

From Washington Times

Football's world governing body said in a statement: "The chairman of the Fifa appeal committee considered that the appeal lodged by the club is to be granted suspensive effect."

From BBC

As the following quotation shows, it is interesting as detailing a few of the steps by which Darwin reached that suspensive stage.

From Project Gutenberg