Abeyance

əˈbeɪəns

noun

a state of temporary disuse or suspension

The word 'abeyance' ultimately comes from Old French and Latin roots, meaning 'in expectation' or 'in astate of waiting'. It is commonly used in legal contexts to refer to a temporary suspension of an activity or legal proceeding.

Logic said the traitor was Yueh, but he held final decision in abeyance.

Herbert, Frank

Dune

Nowadays the military profession is in abeyance and the magisterial robe is the badge of honor.

Alexandre Dumas

The Count of Monte Cristo

In Bill he sensed a steadily increasing liking, held in abeyance by the subconscious taboo that affects all fathers when in the presence of men who are there because of their daughters rather than themselves.

Stephen King

'Salem's Lot

Creeds and schools in abeyance, Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten, I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard, Nature without check with original energy.

Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass

His mind floated in abeyance, coming back always to that horrible bottle.

Sinclair Lewis

Babbitt