abeyance
UK: əˈbeɪəns | US: əˈbeɪəns
n. a state of temporary disuse or suspension
n. (law) a condition of undetermined ownership, where rights or titles are held in reserve
The word "abeyance" originates from Old French abeance ("expectation"), derived from abeer ("to gape at, expect"), itself from Latin ad- (toward) + batare (to gape). The morpheme bey reflects the Old French root for "expectation," while a- and -ance denote direction and noun formation, respectively. Over time, the term evolved from literal "expectation" to its modern legal and general sense of "suspended state."
The project was held in abeyance until further funding could be secured.
The estate remains in abeyance while the court determines the rightful heir.
During the dispute, the policy was left in abeyance.
The committee decided to keep the proposal in abeyance until next year.
His dreams of traveling were in abeyance during the pandemic.