Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ABEYANCE
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"ABEYANCE"
Pronunciation:
uh BAY unce
Part of speech:
Countable noun.
(Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions."
Likewise, talk about one abeyance or multiple abeyances, but we usually say "in abeyance" and not "an abeyance.")
Meaning:
When something is in abeyance, it's temporarily stopped. Something held in abeyance is, for a while, not active. You put things in abeyance when you need to wait for a while or hold onto them for a while.
Other forms:
abeyant (adjective)
How to use it:
Talk about something being in abeyance, being held in abeyance, put in abeyance, kept in abeyance, dropped into abeyance, sinking into abeyance, and so on. Something can be left in abeyance or remain in abeyance, or something can emerge from abeyance.
So what is it that typically is in abeyance? Only figurative things, not literal things: a disease, a feeling, a desire, a mood, a law, a matter, a discussion, a theory, a project, etc. You often see "abeyance" in a legal context, but we'll focus on general usage.
Several home improvement projects went into abeyance as the family planned their vacation.
An exhilarating book, movie, or song can inspire you to rescue your dreams from abeyance.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You'll know you understand what "abeyance" means when you can explain it without saying "temporary" or "paused."
Think of the last time you had to delay something or put something off for a while, and fill in the blanks: "I let the matter/problem/question/issue of _____ slip into abeyance because _____."
Example: "I let the issue of the wild and unkempt yard slip into abeyance because there were so many other things to take care of inside the new house."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don't go straight to the review now;let your working memory empty out first.
Playing With Words:
This month's game is "guess the common word based on the given literal root meanings." Try it out each day and see the right answer the next day. It can be fun and illuminating to see the literal meanings of words when they came into the language! More than one right answer might be possible in some cases, just so you know. Also, it's okay if you can't come up with most or even any of the answers on your own; just check out the solutions and you'll learn the roots as you go along this month.
From yesterday:
"out" + "roll/turn" = ?
Answer:
"EVOLVE"
Try this one today:
"out" + "mark" = ?
A Point Well Made:
William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White: "The shape of our language is not rigid; in questions of usage we have no lawgiver whose word is final."
1. The opposite of ABEYANCE is
A. ACTIVITY
B. REBELLION
C. DEATH
2. It's awkward when you don't know if your friendship is _____ or simply in abeyance.
A. heading toward romance
B. totally over
C. based mainly on online interactions
Answers are below.
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Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. B
"ABEYANCE" Pronunciation: uh BAY uncePart of speech: Meaning: Other forms: |