ABEYANCE

ABEY'ANCE, noun pronoun abayance. [Norm. abbaiaunce, or abaizance, in expectation; boyance, expectation. Qu. Fr. bayer, to gape, to look a long time with the mouth open; to stand looking in a silly manner. [See Bay]In expectation or contemplation of law. The fee simple or inheritance of lands and tenements is in abeyance when there is no person in being in whom it can vest; so that it is in a state of expectancy or waiting until a proper person shall appear. Thus if land is leased to a man for life, remainder to another for years, the remainder for years is in abeyance till the death of the lessee, for life.

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abeyance. Abeyance, [ey as ay] n. a state of expectancy, as in case of an estate not vested

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A‐bey″ance (�), n. [[OF. abeance expectation, longing; a (L. ad) + baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to expect, F. bayer, LL. badare to gape.]] 1. 1. (Law) Expectancy; condition of being undetermined.
☞ When there is no person in existence in whom an inheritance (or a dignity) can vest, it is said to be in abeyance, that is, in expectation; the law considering it as always potentially existing, and ready to vest whenever a proper owner appears. Blackstone. 2. 2. Suspension; temporary suppression.
Keeping the sympathies of love and admiration in a dormant state, or state of abeyance. De Quincey.