Abeyance

Abeyance signifies expectancy, probably from the French bayer, to gape after. Lands, dwelling-houses, or goods, are said to be in abeyance when they are only in expectation, or the intendment of the law, and not actually possessed. In the Church of England, when a living has become vacant, between such time and the institution of the next incumbent, it is in abeyance. It belongs to no parson, but is kept suspended, as it were, in the purpose, as yet undeclared, of the patron.