abeyance

[ uh-bey-uhns ]

noun

1. temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension:

   Let's hold that problem in abeyance for a while.

   Synonyms: deferral, remission

2. Law. a state or condition of real property in which title is not as yet vested in a known titleholder:

   an estate in abeyance.

abeyance

/ əˈbeɪəns /

noun

1. usually preceded byin or into a state of being suspended or put aside temporarily
2. usually preceded by in law an indeterminate state of ownership, as when the person entitled to an estate has not been ascertained

Derived Forms

• aˈbeyant, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abeyance¹

1520–30; < Anglo-French; Old French abeance aspiration, literally, a gaping at or toward. See a- ⁵, bay ², -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of abeyance¹

C16-17: from Anglo-French, from Old French abeance expectation, literally a gaping after, a reaching towards

Example Sentences

However, following outrage, it decided on June 29 to keep the move in abeyance.

From Quartz

Not a single one of his fellow conservatives joined his call to hold what he called a “not only unusual, but unprecedented,” law in abeyance until lower courts and the justices could examine it more closely.

From Washington Post

It’s unclear when lenders will end the abeyance awarded all of those delinquent mortgages.

From Fortune

The court will then hold the eleven felony allocutions in abeyance.

From The Daily Beast

Or were they merely orthodox through a more uneven balancing of their qualities, the animal in abeyance?

From Project Gutenberg

My own direct correspondence with Mr. Baxter is now about three months in abeyance.

From Project Gutenberg

Fettes, with various liquors singing in his head, returned home with devious footsteps and a mind entirely in abeyance.

From Project Gutenberg

Dashwood retired with Bute and the barony of Despencer was called out of abeyance in his favour.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, public feeling was so strong that by the middle of the century the laws had almost fallen into abeyance.

From Project Gutenberg