1. a state of temporary disuse or suspension: "matters were held in abeyance pending further enquiries"
▪ the position of being without, or of waiting for, an owner or claimant.
Word Originlate 16th century (in the legal sense): from Old French abeance ‘aspiration to a title’, from abeer ‘aspire after’, from a- ‘towards’ + beer ‘to gape’.