abeyance

Noun

A state of temporary disuse or suspension.
temporary cessation or suspension
Expectancy; a condition when an ownership of real property is undetermined; lapse in succession of ownership of estate, or title.
Suspension; temporary suppression; dormant condition.
Expectancy of a noble or armigeral title, its right in existence but its exercise suspended.

Examples

My brilliant Z-word play was held in abeyance until an opening appeared.
The broad pennant of a commodore first class has been in abeyance since 1958, together with the rank.
The proceeds of the estate shall be held in abeyance in an escrow account until the minor reaches age twenty-one.

Origin / Etymology

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”).

Synonyms

suspension

Scrabble Score: 15

abeyance: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
abeyance: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
abeyance: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

abeyance: valid Words With Friends Word