Main Entry:

abey·ance

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈbā-ən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Anglo-French, from Old French abaer to expect, await, literally, to gape, from a- + baer to gape, yawn — more at BAY

Date:

1640

1 : a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested 2 : temporary inactivity : suspension

— abey·ant \-ənt\ adjective