abeyance

abeyance Definition

abey·ance (ə bā′əns)

noun

temporary suspension, as of an activity or function
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

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

abeyance Law Definition

An indefinite or temporary state of inactivity or suspension.
An incomplete or undetermined state of existence.
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

Preposition: at

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.

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