Abeyance

noun (uncountable)

/əˈbeɪəns/

A state of temporary suspension or inactivity of a right, proceeding, or rule, without its permanent extinguishment. In Indian constitutional law, a law may be held in abeyance pending final adjudication, or a constitutional provision may remain dormant until Parliament activates it—as with the National Emergency provisions under Article 352.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The Supreme Court placed the contentious provisions of the electoral bonds scheme in abeyance pending a Constitution Bench hearing, signalling that their validity remained open to challenge.

Synonyms

suspensiondormancypostponementdeferrallatency

Antonyms

activationoperationenforcementexercise

🌱 Word Family

abeyant (adjective)

🔡 Root

Old French abeance (gaping toward) ← a- (toward) + baer (to gape, to await)

📜 Etymology

From Anglo-French abeiance, meaning 'expectation' or 'waiting', derived from Old French baer (to gape open, to await). Entered legal English in the 16th century to denote property or a right that awaits a future claimant or activation.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think of 'ABEYANCE' as 'A-BE-WAITING': the law is being held back, just waiting to spring into force. Picture a rule sitting in a waiting room, not yet called in.

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Preamble of the Indian Constitution

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