suspense
[ suh-spens ]
/ səˈspɛns /
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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.
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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, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for suspense
British Dictionary definitions for suspense
suspense
/ (səˈspɛns) /
noun
the condition of being insecure or uncertainthe matter of the succession remained in suspense for many years
mental uncertainty; anxietytheir father's illness kept them in a state of suspense
excitement felt at the approach of the climaxa 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
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