Middle English Dictionary Entry
suspens(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | suspens(e n. Also suspence. |
| Etymology | OF sospense, suspence, suspens(e & L suspensum. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Abeyance, temporary cessation; deferral; putten in ~, to defer (sth.), intermit; (b) relinquishment; putten in ~, to give up (sth.); also, keep (sth. from sb.); (c) perplexity, uncertainty; delay, indecision; maken in ~, to perplex (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- (1402) Hoccl.Cupid (Hnt HM 744)409 : In suspense Hir due laude put moot needes be.
- (?c1422) Hoccl.ASM (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)138 : O lord, may it [sentence of death] nat put been in suspense?
- (1425) Proc.Privy C.3.173 : Your..commisaries wold noght..conclude with us in þe mattere aboven saide, bot put hit in suspence to yei come to..your saide hieghnesse.
- (1442) RParl.5.65a : Yat all Fraunchises, Libertees..and Privileges..graunted to thaym of Pruse and Hansze..be restreyned and putte in suspence, unto the tyme that all..Injuries..done..to your saide Merchauntz Englisshe..be redressid.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1577 : He wil..al þe surplusage Of wrongis olde puttyn in suspence.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1430 : Al rancour..þei put in suspence, And of oon hert a blisful lyf þei lede.
- c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)1494 : Lak of Elloquence, this feerful matere..me hath constreyned to put in suspence ffrom yow.
c
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)170 : Hou longe wilt thou make vs in suspens and in dwere in oure hertes what thou art? Ȝif thou be criste, telle vs openly.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.308 : That traitour, without long suspence, Betrayed the towne.