BharatNotes Abeyance
noun (uncountable)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
Antonyms
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.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
A state of temporary suspension, in which something exists but is not currently operative. It is precise and useful in GS2 for a provision, office or process held in suspense rather than abolished. The distinction worth stating is that abeyance preserves the thing suspended, so it can revive, which is exactly what separates it from repeal.
Don’t Confuse It With
Abeyance is temporary suspension with the possibility of revival. Repeal removes a law permanently. Moratorium suspends a specific obligation for a defined period. Dormant describes something inactive but not formally suspended.
Hindi Meaning
स्थगन (sthagan) or निलंबन (nilamban).
Common Questions
- What does in abeyance mean?
- Temporarily suspended or inactive, but capable of being revived rather than permanently ended.
- Is abeyance the same as repeal?
- No. Repeal ends something permanently. Abeyance suspends it while preserving the possibility of its revival.
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