cliff-hangingn.
/ˈklɪfˌhaŋɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈklɪfˌhæŋɪŋ/ The fact or practice of having or using cliffhanger endings. Hence: a state of excited suspense; the action of causing tension or suspense.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > [noun]
suspensec1440
hover1513
dispense1562
depending1616
suspension1635
hanging-up1638
cliff-hanging1945
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > [adjective] > full of suspense
suspenseful1656
heart-stopping1888
edge-of-your-seat1922
cliff-hanging1930
cliff-hanging1945
nail-biting1946
cardiac1961
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > a play > [noun] > plot > parts of plot
envoy1616
undermirth1640
counter-turn1651
under-walk1651
deus ex machina1697
happy ending1748
dénouement1752
anagnorisis1783
comic relief1783
by-play1812
tragic irony1833
by-plot1851
dramatic irony1881
plot point1909
cliff-hanging1945
subtext1960
1945 M. Cuthbert et al. Adventure in Radio 111 The secret of successful serial writing for radio is not so much the story line—not even the ‘cliff-hanging’, which means the climax at the end of each episode.
1959 Cambr. Rev. 25 Apr. 433/1 This way lie..eight years of academic cliff-hanging.
1987 Times (Nexis) 6 July He irritated Moscow with his cliff-hanging over his answer to Mr Gorbachov's ‘double zero’ offer on Euro-missiles.
2012 B. W. Longenecker Hearing Silence iii. 32 With that, the episode pretty much finishes. There is no cliff hanging.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
cliff-hangingadj.
/ˈklɪfˌhaŋɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈklɪfˌhæŋɪŋ/ Relating to or characterized by cliffhanger endings; (hence) tense, dramatic, suspenseful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > [adjective] > full of suspense
suspenseful1656
heart-stopping1888
edge-of-your-seat1922
cliff-hanging1930
cliff-hanging1945
nail-biting1946
cardiac1961
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > a play > [adjective] > types of play
gowneda1661
monodramatic1801
one-act1801
Palais Royala1839
knockabout1892
two-part1894
uncut1896
psychodramatic1927
cliff-hanging1930
no-budget1937
kitchen sink1959
single-set1961
1930 Variety 3 Sept. 2/1 Fitting..into the pattern is the revival of the serial, with Universal and Pathe leading the procession toward cliff-hanging heroines.
1958 Economist 20 Dec. 1090/1 John Diefenbaker can resume his proper role as hero in the greatest cliffhanging serial that Canadians have seen for many a long day.
1986 Times 3 Nov. 26/8 It is already November, stocks are high and another Opec meeting—more than usually cliff-hanging—is on the cards.
2013 Waikato Times (Hamilton, N.Z.) (Nexis) 30 Nov. 3 She brings her tale to a cliff-hanging climax, so you will need to read the next instalment.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1945
adj.1930