Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Suspense

Sus-pense′

,
Adj.
[F.
suspens
, L.
suspensus
, p. p. of
suspendere
. See
Suspend
.]
1.
Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.
[Obs.]
[The great light of day]
suspense
in heaven.
Milton.
2.
Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.
[Obs.]
“Expectation held his look suspense.”
Milton.

Sus-pense′

,
Noun.
[From F.
suspens
, a. See
Suspense
,
Adj.
]
1.
The state of being suspended; specifically, a state of uncertainty and expectation, with anxiety or apprehension; indetermination; indecision;
as, the
suspense
of a person waiting for the verdict of a jury
.
Ten days the prophet in
suspense
remained.
Denham.
Upon the ticklish balance of
suspense
.
Cowper.
2.
Cessation for a time; stop; pause.
A cool
suspense
from pleasure and from pain.
Pope.
3.
[Cf. F.
suspense
.]
(Law)
A temporary cessation of one’s right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.
Suspense account
(Bookkeeping)
,
an account in which receipts or disbursements are temporarily entered until their proper position in the books is determined.

Webster 1828 Edition

Suspense

SUSPENSE

,
Noun.
suspens'. [L. suspensus.] A state of uncertainty; indetermination; indecision. A man's mind is in suspense, when it is balancing the weight of different arguments or considerations, or when it is uncertain respecting facts unknown, or events not in his own power.
Ten days the prophet in suspense remain'd.
1.
Stop; cessation for a time.
A cool suspense from pleasure or from pain.
2.
In law, suspension; a temporary cessation of a man's right; as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.

SUSPENSE

,
Adj.
suspens'. Held from proceeding. [Little used.]

Similar Results