abeyance

nounbeing inactive or suspended

Synonyms for abeyance

noun being inactive or suspended

Antonyms for abeyance

Word Origin & History

1520s, from Anglo-French abeiance "suspension," also "expectation (especially in a lawsuit)," from Old French abeance "aspiration, desire," noun of condition of abeer "aspire after, gape" from à "at" (see ad-) + ba(y)er "be open," from Latin *batare "to yawn, gape" (see abash).

Originally in French a legal term, "condition of a person in expectation or hope of receiving property;" it turned around in English law to mean "condition of property temporarily without an owner" (1650s). Root baer is also the source of English bay (n.2) "recessed space," as in "bay window."

Example Sentences for abeyance

"The punishment lies in abeyance for the present," explained Hamish.

It would have been hard to bear had she not known what a triumph she held in abeyance.

The pomp and magnificence of sunset were in abeyance to-night, were laid aside.

Perhaps they are sending Maria Angelina away to keep her in abeyance!

His will was in abeyance, and to her intense relief he got up and followed her.

That, however, was necessarily kept in abeyance during Jack's presence.

So absorbed is he, that bodily pain and Sir Donald are in abeyance.

When a man is acting with his inclination, his will is in abeyance.

The subject stood in abeyance while she feasted and took thought.

During the growth of the teeth the sympathetic mode is held in abeyance.

abeyance

Synonyms for abeyance

Antonyms for abeyance

cessation

intermission

interruption

lull

moratorium

abeyance

Synonyms .css-1u0ksf7{color:#d9d9d9;}for abeyance

Antonyms for abeyance

More words related to abeyance

.css-1unrqcp{color:inherit;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}back burner

cessation

intermission

interruption

lull

moratorium

Synonyms for abeyance

back burner