The Definition of Abeyance

a·bey·ance /əˈbeɪəns/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-bey-uhns] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 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.


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[Origin: 1520–30; < AF; OF abeance aspiration, lit., a gaping at or toward. See a-5, bay2, -ance]


—Synonyms 1. remission, deferral.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source a·bey·ance (ə-bā'əns) Pronunciation Key
n.
The condition of being temporarily set aside; suspension: held the plan in abeyance.
Law A condition of undetermined ownership, as of an estate that has not yet been assigned.


[Anglo-Norman, variant of Old French abeance, desire, from abaer, to gape at : a-, at (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + baer, to gape; see bay2.]

a·bey'ant adj.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source
abeyance

1528, from Anglo-Fr. abeiance "suspension," also "expectation (especially in a lawsuit)," from O.Fr. abeance "aspiration, desire," noun of condition of abeer "aspire after, gape" from à "at" + ba(y)er "be open," from L. *batare "to yawn, gape" (see abash). Originally in O.Fr. a legal term, "condition of a person in expectation or hope of receiving property;" it turned around in Eng. law to mean "condition of property temporarily without an owner" (1660). Root baer is also the source of English bay (2) "recessed space," as in "bay window."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source abeyance

noun
temporary cessation or suspension

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.