Suspense Definition

sə-spĕns
noun
Anxiety or apprehension resulting from an uncertain, undecided, or mysterious situation.
The suspense as they were announcing the winners was unbearable.
American Heritage
The state of being undecided or undetermined.
Webster's New World
A state of usually anxious uncertainty, as in awaiting a decision.
Webster's New World
The growing interest and excitement felt while awaiting a climax or resolution, as of a novel, play, series of events, etc.
Webster's New World
Suspension or interruption, as of a legal right.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
adjective
(obsolete) Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.
Wiktionary
(obsolete) Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.
Wiktionary

Origin of Suspense

  • Middle English suspense delay, uncertainty from Old French souspense from souspens suspended from Latin suspēnsus past participle of suspendere to suspend suspend

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Anglo-Norman suspens as in e suspens, from Old French suspens.

    From Wiktionary

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