Abeyance vs. Suspension — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
Abeyance refers to a temporary halt in activity with an expectation of future resumption, often used in legal contexts; suspension involves the temporary cessation of something, typically used in disciplinary or operational contexts.
Difference Between Abeyance and Suspension
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Abeyance often implies a state of temporary disuse or dormancy, awaiting a specific event or condition before resuming, particularly in legal terms such as the abeyance of property rights. In contrast, suspension usually refers to the deliberate act of stopping an activity or privilege, such as a student's suspension from school, with the implication that it may be reinstated following certain conditions.
While abeyance typically connotes a pause due to uncertainty or lack of decision, suspension is often a controlled and intentional action. For instance, a project may be put in abeyance due to unclear regulatory requirements, whereas a project could be suspended due to safety concerns.
Abeyance is more passive, suggesting that the state of suspension is not by choice but rather by circumstance or legal requirement. On the other hand, suspension is an active decision, usually enforced as a response to specific behaviors or situations.
The term abeyance is less common in everyday language and is more frequently used in formal, especially legal, contexts. Suspension, however, is widely used across different contexts, from education to mechanics, indicating a temporary halt imposed by authorities or conditions.
In legal contexts, property held in abeyance is waiting for the rightful owner to claim it, while suspension in the same field could refer to the temporary cessation of legal rights, such as the suspension of a driver’s license.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A state of temporary disuse or suspension, awaiting a decision or event.
The act of temporarily stopping something or someone.
Usage Context
More common in legal, formal settings.
Broadly used across various fields like education, law, employment.
Implication
Implies passivity, awaiting external conditions.
Implies active enforcement or decision.
Connotation
Neutral, often bureaucratic or procedural.
Often negative, associated with discipline or problems.
Typical Examples
Property rights, titles.
School suspension, license suspension.
Compare with Definitions
Abeyance
A hold or pause on activities.
The construction was in abeyance awaiting environmental clearance.
Suspension
Exclusion from a position or activity.
The student's suspension was enforced following the school's disciplinary hearing.
Abeyance
A waiting period before something resumes.
The inheritance was in abeyance until the legal issues were resolved.
Suspension
A period during which something is halted.
The production faced a suspension due to a strike.
Abeyance
Suspended operation or enforcement.
The plans were in abeyance due to financial constraints.
Suspension
A system of springs and shock absorbers by which a vehicle is cushioned from road conditions.
The car's suspension was designed to handle rough terrains.
Abeyance
A state of temporary suspension or dormancy.
The legislation was held in abeyance until further studies were conducted.
Suspension
Temporarily prevent from continuing or being in force.
The driver faced suspension of his license after the DUI charge.
Abeyance
The condition of being temporarily set aside.
The new policy will remain in abeyance until we receive more feedback.
Suspension
The act of temporarily stopping something.
The suspension of the employee was due to non-compliance with company policies.
Abeyance
Abeyance (from the Old French abeance meaning "gaping") is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can be applied only to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly may not vest.
Suspension
An interruption or temporary cessation, as of an activity or of the application of a rule or law.
Abeyance
The condition of being temporarily set aside; suspension
Held the plan in abeyance.
Suspension
A temporary prohibition or exclusion, as from attending school or enjoying a privilege, especially as a punishment.
Abeyance
(Law) A condition of undetermined ownership, as of an interest in an estate that has not yet vested.
Suspension
A postponement, as of a judgment, opinion, or decision.
Abeyance
(legal) Expectancy; a condition when an ownership of real property is undetermined; lapse in succession of ownership of estate, or title.
The proceeds of the estate shall be held in abeyance in an escrow account until the minor reaches age twenty-one.
Suspension
The prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into a following chord to create a temporary dissonance.
Abeyance
Suspension; temporary suppression; dormant condition.
Suspension
The tone or tones so prolonged.
Abeyance
Expectancy of a noble or armigeral title, its right in existence but its exercise suspended.
The broad pennant of a commodore first class has been in abeyance since 1958, together with the rank.
Suspension
A device from which a mechanical part is suspended.
Abeyance
Expectancy; condition of being undetermined.
Suspension
The system of springs and other devices that insulates the chassis of a vehicle from shocks transmitted through the wheels.
Abeyance
Suspension; temporary suppression.
Keeping the sympathies of love and admiration in a dormant state, or state of abeyance.
Suspension
(Chemistry) A system in which minute particles are dispersed throughout a fluid from which they are easily filtered but not easily settled because of system viscosity or molecular interactions.
Abeyance
Temporary cessation or suspension
Suspension
The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended.
Suspension from a hook
Suspension
A temporary or conditional delay, interruption or discontinuation.
Suspension
The state of a solid or substance produced when its particles are mixed with, but not dissolved in, a fluid, and are capable of separation by straining.
Suspension
Thus a kind of silt or sludge.
Suspension
The act of keeping a person who is listening in doubt and expectation of what is to follow.
Suspension
The temporary barring of a person from a workplace, society, etc. pending investigation into alleged misconduct.
Suspension
(education) The process of barring a student from school grounds as a form of punishment (particularly out-of-school suspension).
Suspension from school as a disciplinary measure
Suspension
(music) The act of or discord produced by prolonging one or more tones of a chord into the chord which follows, thus producing a momentary discord, suspending the concord which the ear expects.
Suspension
A stay or postponement of the execution of a sentence, usually by letters of suspension granted on application to the Lord Ordinary.
Suspension
(topology) A topological space derived from another by taking the product of the original space with an interval and collapsing each end of the product to a point.
Suspension
(topology) A function derived, in a standard way, from another, such that the instant function’s domain and codomain are suspensions of the original function’s.
Suspension
(vehicle) The system of springs and shock absorbers connected to the wheels in an automobile, which allows the vehicle to move smoothly with reduced shock to its occupants.
Suspension
The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended; pendency; as, suspension from a hook.
Suspension
Especially, temporary delay, interruption, or cessation
Suspension
A conditional withholding, interruption, or delay; as, the suspension of a payment on the performance of a condition.
Suspension
The state of a solid when its particles are mixed with, but undissolved in, a fluid, and are capable of separation by straining; also, any substance in this state.
Suspension
A keeping of the hearer in doubt and in attentive expectation of what is to follow, or of what is to be the inference or conclusion from the arguments or observations employed.
Suspension
A stay or postponement of execution of a sentence condemnatory by means of letters of suspension granted on application to the lord ordinary.
Suspension
The prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into the chord which follows, thus producing a momentary discord, suspending the concord which the ear expects. Cf. Retardation.
Suspension
A mixture in which fine particles are suspended in a fluid where they are supported by buoyancy
Suspension
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Suspension
Temporary cessation or suspension
Suspension
An interruption in the intensity or amount of something
Suspension
A mechanical system of springs or shock absorbers connecting the wheels and axles to the chassis of a wheeled vehicle
Suspension
The act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely);
There was a small ceremony for the hanging of the portrait
Suspension
A temporary debarment (from a privilege or position etc)
Common Curiosities
How is abeyance resolved?
Abeyance is usually resolved when the necessary conditions are met or a decision is made regarding the suspended matter.
Can abeyance occur naturally?
Abeyance typically occurs due to legal or procedural reasons rather than natural circumstances.
Can abeyance be used to describe a technology project?
Yes, technology projects can be described as being in abeyance when they are on hold pending further review, additional resources, or decision-making.
What happens during the suspension of an employee?
During an employee's suspension, they are typically barred from attending work and may stop receiving pay, depending on company policy and the terms of the suspension.
What differentiates suspension in mechanics from other contexts?
In mechanics, suspension specifically refers to the system that supports vehicles to absorb shocks and maintain contact with the road surface, distinctly different from disciplinary or procedural suspensions.
What is abeyance used for in legal terms?
In legal terms, abeyance refers to the condition of being temporarily set aside, often used regarding property or title rights.
What are common reasons for the suspension of a license?
Common reasons include DUI charges, accumulating too many traffic violations, or non-compliance with traffic laws.
How does suspension function in the educational sector?
In education, suspension serves as a disciplinary measure where a student is temporarily removed from school.
How does one typically lift a suspension?
A suspension is typically lifted once the set conditions are met, such as the expiration of a penalty period, completion of required training, or resolution of the issues that led to the suspension.
Is abeyance always related to legal matters?
While commonly used in legal contexts, abeyance can also refer to any temporary state of suspension due to unresolved issues or pending decisions in various fields.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
