abeyance

UK: /əˈbeɪəns/ US: /əˈbeɪəns/ ,(ə bā′əns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•bey•ance /əˈbeɪəns/   n. [uncountable]

1. in a state of temporary inactivity:
   to hold a question in abeyance.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•bey•ance  (ə bā′əns), n. 

1. temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension:
   Let's hold that problem in abeyance for a while.
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.

• Anglo-French; Old French abeance aspiration, literally, a gaping at or toward. See a-⁵, bay², -ance
• 1520–30

Synonyms

• 1. remission, deferral.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

abeyance / əˈbeɪəns/, abeyancy / əˈbeɪənsɪ/ noun

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

Etymology: 16th Century-17: from Anglo-French, from Old French abeance expectation, literally a gaping after, a reaching towards