Added 10 October 2026
abeyance
/əˈbeɪ.ən(t)s/ noun
Latin root: batō First recorded: 1528 Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about abeyance at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Expectancy; a condition when an ownership of real property is undetermined; lapse in succession of ownership of estate, or title. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
The proceeds of the estate shall be held in abeyance in an escrow account until the minor reaches age twenty-one.
- Suspension; temporary suppression; dormant condition.
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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.
Origin
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”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)