Abeyances

/əˈbeɪənsɪz/ noun

Definition

Plural of abeyance; multiple instances of legal or property rights being in a state of suspension or held without a current claimant.

Etymology

Formed by adding the plural suffix -es to abeyance (from Old French abeyance, from a baye). The -s or -es creates the plural in English.

Kelly Says

Medieval England had many abeyances—when a nobleman died without a clear heir, his titles and lands would go 'into abeyance' until someone could prove their right to inherit, sometimes lasting decades!

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