English▸ noun [mass noun] a state of temporary disuse or suspension:
matters were held in abeyance pending further enquiries.
▪ Law the position of being without, or of waiting for, an owner or claimant.
– ORIGIN early 16th century (in the legal sense): from Anglo-Norman French abeiaunce ‘the state of waiting for a claimant or owner’, from abeier ‘open wide, wait for’, from a- ‘towards’ + Old French beer ‘to gape’.