n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' b ā - ə n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French, from Old French abaer to expect, await, literally, to gape, from a- + baer to gape, yawn ― more at BAY
Date: 1640
1 : a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested
2 : temporary inactivity : SUSPENSION
– abey · ant \ - ə nt \ adjective