Abeyance
WordNet
noun
(1) Temporary cessation or suspension
WiktionaryText
Etymology
abeance, expectation, longing; a (ad) + baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to expect, bayer, badare to gape.
Noun
- Expectancy; condition of being undetermined.
- The proceeds of the estate shall be held in abeyance in an escrow account until the minor reaches age twenty-one.
- Note: When there is no person in existence in whom an inheritance (or a dignity) can vest, it is said to be in abeyance, that is, in expectation; the law considering it as always potentially existing, and ready to vest whenever a proper owner appears. Blackstone
- Suspension; temporary suppression.
- He kept his temper in abeyance for several moments, when he found out what she had done.
- Keeping the sympathies of love and admiration in a dormant state, or state of abeyance. -De Quincey
- Expectancy of a title, its right in existence but its exercise suspended.
- The broad pennant of a commodore first class has been in abeyance since 1958, together with the rank.
Shorthand
- Gregg (Version: Centennial, Series 90, DJS,Simplified,Anniversary): a - b - a - n - left s
- (Version: Pre-Anniversary): a - b - e - n - left s