The word of the day is "abeyance," meaning a temporary state of inactivity or suspension. It's almost always used with the preposition "in." "In abeyance" describes something temporarily paused, like a legal case awaiting a solution. The word's etymology reveals its connection to "opening wide" and "gaping," implying a state of suspense. Originally, "abeyance" referred to a lapse in succession, where a title or estate awaited a rightful heir. This original meaning reflects the uncertainty inherent in the word's current usage. The example sentence shows how "abeyance" is applied to a temporary liquor license suspension. The term signifies a delay or postponement, not a permanent cancellation. Therefore, something in abeyance is essentially suspended until further action or resolution.