English▸ noun a state of temporary disuse or suspension:
matters were held in abeyance pending further inquiries.
▪ Law the position of being without, or of waiting for, an owner or claimant.
– ORIGIN late 16th century (in the legal sense): from Old French abeance ‘aspiration to a title’, from abeer ‘aspire after’, from a- ‘towards’ + beer ‘to gape’.