1520s, from Anglo-French abeiance "suspension," also "expectation (especially in a lawsuit)," from Old French abeance "aspiration, desire," noun of condition of abeer "aspire after, gape" from à "at" (see ad-) + ba(y)er "be open," from Latin *batare "to yawn, gape" (see abash).
Originally in French a legal term, "condition of a person in expectation or hope of receiving property;" it turned around in English law to mean "condition of property temporarily without an owner" (1650s). Root baer is also the source of English bay (n.2) "recessed space," as in "bay window."
权威例句
1. The matter was left in abeyance until Haig saw French.
事情被搁置了起来,直到黑格见到法国人。
2. The question is in abeyance until we know more about it.
问题暂时搁置,直到我们了解更多有关情况再行研究.
3. The law was held in abeyance for well over twenty years.
这项法律被搁置了二十多年.
4. The decision is in abeyance until the returns from holiday.
那项决议在他度假回来之前一直搁置着.
5. The sanctions againt the country fell into abeyance yesterday.