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abeyance Definition

abey·ance (ə bāəns)

noun

  1. temporary suspension, as of an activity or function
  2. Law a state of not having been determined or settled, as of lands the present ownership of which has not been established

Etymology: Anglo-Fr abeiance < OFr abeance, expectation < a-, to, at + bayer, to gape, wait expectantly: see bay

abeyance Finance Definition
  1. A suspension of the title to real estate while the rightful ownership is being discovered.
  2. Temporarily setting aside, such as holding a plan in abeyance.
abeyance Law Definition

n

  1. An indefinite or temporary state of inactivity or suspension.
  2. An incomplete or undetermined state of existence.
  3. The status of real property or of a position or title when its ownership or occupancy is not vested in any existing person or party.
abeyance Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • terminate: She petitioned the King to terminate the abeyance in her favor.

Preposition: at

  • present: Second Centenary Party to be left in abeyance at present.

Preposition: during

  • period: But these rights are in abeyance during the period of pupillage or nonage.

Noun used with modifier

  • security: My most recent article on security abeyance has been recently published in the British Journal of Management.

Preposition: until

  • procedure: Any further departmental consideration of that piece of work shall be held in abeyance until the procedures set out below have been completed.

Preposition: for

  • time: Chairman asked whether this matter could be held in abeyance for the time being, Council agreed.
  • year: The Romans had massive aqueducts for transporting water over large distances but their skills fell into abeyance for 1500 years.

Browse dictionary entries near abeyance

  1. abettor
  2. abetting
  3. abetter
  4. abetted
  5. abetment
  6. abet
  7. aberrational
  8. aberration
  9. aberrant
  10. aberrancy
  1. abhor
  2. abhorred
  3. abhorrence
  4. abhorrent
  5. abhorrently
  6. abhorrer
  7. abhorring
  8. abidance
  9. abide
  10. abide by