abeyance — abey·ance /ə bā əns/ n [Middle French abeance expectation (of a title or claimant), from abaer to expect, from a , prefix stressing result + baer to gape, aim at] 1: a lapse in the succession of property during which there is no person in whom… … Law dictionary
Abeyance — A*bey ance, n. [OF. abeance expectation, longing; a (L. ad) + baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to expect, F. bayer, LL. badare to gape.] 1. (Law) Expectancy; condition of being undetermined. [1913 Webster] Note: When there is no… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
abeyance — ► NOUN (in phrase in/into abeyance) ▪ temporarily suspended or not used. ORIGIN from Old French abeer aspire after … English terms dictionary
abeyance — (n.) 1520s, from Anglo Fr. abeiance suspension, also expectation (especially in a lawsuit), from O.Fr. abeance aspiration, desire, noun of condition of abeer aspire after, gape from à at (see AD (Cf. ad )) + ba(y)er be open, from L. *batare … Etymology dictionary
abeyance — [n] being inactive or suspended temporarily deferral, discontinuation, dormancy, inactivity, intermission, latency, postponement, quiescence, recess, remission, suspension, waiting; concepts 681,705 Ant. action, activity, continuance,… … New thesaurus
abeyance — [ə bā′əns] n. [Anglo Fr abeiance < OFr abeance, expectation < a , to, at + bayer, to gape, wait expectantly: see BAY2] 1. temporary suspension, as of an activity or function 2. Law a state of not having been determined or settled, as of… … English World dictionary
abeyance — n. (formal) in, into abeyance (to hold in abeyance; to fall into abeyance) * * * [ə beɪəns] into abeyance (to hold in abeyance; to fall into abeyance) (formal) in … Combinatory dictionary
Abeyance — A situation in which the rightful owner of a property, office or title has not yet been decided. Abeyance results when the current owner or holder does not declare a single current beneficiary. Instead, the new owner is… … Investment dictionary
abeyance — a|bey|ance [əˈbeıəns] n [Date: 1500 1600; : Old French; Origin: abeance expectation , from abaer to desire , from baer; ABASHED] in abeyance something such as a custom, rule, or system that is in abeyance is not being used at the present time… … Dictionary of contemporary English
abeyance — [[t]əbe͟ɪəns[/t]] PHRASE: v link PHR, PHR after v If something is in abeyance, it is not operating or being used at the present time. [FORMAL] The Russian threat is, at the least, in abeyance... The matter was left in abeyance until Haig saw… … English dictionary