abeyance

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Etymology

First attested in 1528. From Anglo-Norman abeiance, from Old French abeance from abeër, abaer, abair ("to desire"), from a ("to") + baër, bair ("yawn"), from Medieval Latin batō.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /əˈbeɪ.əns/

Noun

abeyance

1. (legal) Expectancy; a condition when an ownership of real property is undetermined; lapse in succession of ownership of estate, or title. [Late 16^th century]

   The proceeds of the estate shall be held in abeyance in an escrow account until the minor reaches age twenty-one.

2. Suspension; temporary suppression; dormant condition. [Mid 17^th century]
3. Expectancy of a noble or armigeral 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.

Translations

• French: vacance, vacant (in abeyance)
• German: Schwebezustand, Unentschiedenheit
• Portuguese: pendência
• Russian: состояние неопределённость
• Spanish: expectativa, esperanza, suspenso

Translations

• French: suspension, en suspens (in abeyance)
• Italian: sospensione
• Portuguese: suspensão, pendência
• Russian: приостановле́ние
• Spanish: suspensión, desuso, suspenso

Translations

• French: vacance
• Portuguese: vacância, vacatura, vagatura

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