English Explanatory Dictionary

abeyance

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Expectancy; a condition when an ownership of real property is undetermined; lapse in succession of ownership of estate, or title.
  2. Suspension; temporary suppression; dormant condition.
  3. Expectancy of a noble or armigeral title, its right in existence but its exercise suspended.

Pronunciation

/əˈbeɪ.ən(t)s/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Arlo Barnes-abeyance.wav en-ca-abeyance.ogg

Word forms

abeyance abeyances

Etymology

First attested in 1528. From Anglo-Norman abeiance (“legal expectation”), from Old French abeance (“desire”) from abeër (“to gape at, aspire after”), abaer, abair (“to desire”), from a (“to”) + baër (“to gape”), bair (“yawn”), from Medieval Latin batō (“to yawn”).

Derived words

abeyancy in abeyance
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