Sus*pend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suspended; p. pr. & vb. n.
Suspending.] [F. suspendre, or OF. souspendre (where the prefix is L.
subtus below, from sub under), L. suspendere, suspensum; pref. sus-
(see Sub- ) + pendere to hang. See Pedant, and cf. Suspense, n.] 1. To
attach to something above; to hang; as, to suspend a ball by a thread;
to suspend a needle by a loadstone.
2. To make to depend; as, God hath suspended the promise of eternal
life on the condition of obedience and holiness of life. [Archaic]
Tillotson.
3. To cause to cease for a time; to hinder from proceeding; to
interrupt; to delay; to stay.
Suspend your indignation against my brother.
Shak.
The guard nor fights nor fies; their fate so near At once suspends
their courage and their fear.
Denham.
4. To hold in an undetermined or undecided state; as, to suspend one's
judgment or opinion. Locke.
5. To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from
the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.; as, to
suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club.
Good men should not be suspended from the exercise of their
ministry and deprived of their livelihood for ceremonies which are
on all hands acknowledged indifferent.
Bp. Sanderson.
6. To cause to cease for a time from operation or effect; as, to
suspend the habeas corpus act; to suspend the rules of a legislative
body.
7. (Chem.) To support in a liquid, as an insoluble powder, by stirring,
to facilitate chemical action.
To suspend payment (Com.), to cease paying debts or obligations; to
fail; -- said of a merchant, a bank, etc.
Syn. -- To hang; interrupt; delay; intermit; stay; hinder; debar.
<! p. 1454 !>
Sus*pend" (?), v. i. To cease from operation or activity; esp., to stop
payment, or be unable to meet obligations or engagements (said of a
commercial firm or a bank).
Sus*pend"er (?), n. One who, or that which, suspends; esp., one of a
pair of straps or braces worn over the shoulders, for holding up the
trousers.
Sus`pen*sa"tion (?), n. [Cf. LL. suspensatio suspension from a charge
or benefice.] The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended,
especially for a short time; temporary suspension.
Sus*pense" (?), a. [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", 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.
Ten days the prophet in suspense remained.
Denham.
Upon the ticklish balance of suspense.
Cowper.