suspense
[ suh-spens ]
/ səˈspɛns /
noun
a state or condition of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety.
a state of mental indecision.
undecided or doubtful condition, as of affairs: For a few days matters hung in suspense.
the state or condition of being suspended.
Origin of suspense
1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin
suspēnsum deferment, suspension, uncertainty, noun use of neuter of Latin
suspēnsus hung up, doubtful, in suspense (past participle of
suspendere to hang up, leave undecided), equivalent to
sus-
sus- +
pēnsus (
pend-, stem of
pendere (translation) to hang (see
pend) +
-tus past participle suffix, with
dt >
s)
OTHER WORDS FROM suspense
sus·pense·ful, adjectiveWords nearby suspense
Example sentences from the Web for suspense
British Dictionary definitions for suspense
suspense
/ (səˈspɛns) /
noun
the condition of being insecure or uncertain
the matter of the succession remained in suspense for many years
mental uncertainty; anxiety
their father's illness kept them in a state of suspense
excitement felt at the approach of the climax
a play of terrifying suspense
the condition of being suspended
Derived forms of suspense
suspenseful, adjectiveWord Origin for suspense
C15: from Medieval Latin
suspensum delay, from Latin
suspendere to hang up; see
suspend