suspense

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. apprehension about what is going to happen
  2. an uncertain cognitive state“the matter remained in suspense for several years”
  3. excited anticipation of an approaching climax“the play kept the audience in suspense”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Suspense \Sus*pense"\, a. [F. suspens, L. suspensus, p. p. of suspendere. See Suspend.]

1.Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

[The great light of day] suspense in heaven.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt. [Obs.] "Expectation held his look suspense." --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Suspense \Sus*pense"\, n. [From F. suspens, a. See Suspense, a.]

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. [1913 Webster]

Ten days the prophet in suspense remained.— Denham.[1913 Webster]
Upon the ticklish balance of suspense.— Cowper.[1913 Webster]

2.Cessation for a time; stop; pause. [1913 Webster]

A cool suspense from pleasure and from pain.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Suspense account (Bookkeeping), an account in which receipts or disbursements are temporarily entered until their proper position in the books is determined. [1913 Webster]

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