suspensionn.
/səˈspɛnʃən/ The action of suspending or condition of being suspended.
I. Disbarring, postponement, deferral, and related uses.† 7. An ecstasy of contemplation. Obsolete. rare.
1. † b. The state of being temporarily kept from doing, or deprived of, something. Obsolete.
a. The action of debarring or state of being debarred, esp. for a time, from a function or privilege; temporary deprivation of one's office or position.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > removal from office or authority > [noun] > temporary
suspendingc1380
suspension1528
1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. lxxiiij Make them to feare the sentence of the chyrch, suspencions, excomunicacions and curses.
c1531 Pol. Rel. & Love Poems (1903) 62 Of no maner of man to be vsed,..nor to be red, vnder payne of suspencioun.
1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 1065 Suspention is the censure of the Eldershippe, whereby one is for a time depriued of the Communion of the Sacraments.
1643 Ord. Lords & Com., Westm. Confess. (1658) 203 Authoritative suspension from the Lords Table, of a person not yet cast out of the Church, is agreeable to the Scripture.
1682 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Rights Princes (new ed.) viii. 267 He..required his Chapter not to receive or instal them, under the pains of suspension.
1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 501 Suspension taken in a proper Sense is an Ecclesiastical Censure, whereby a Spiritual Person is either interdicted the Exercise of Ecclesiastical Function, or hindred from receiving the Profits of his Benefice.
1760 Cautions & Advices to Officers of Army 86 During your Suspension you are a Sort of Prisoner at large and do no Duty.
1870 in J. W. Clark Ordin. Univ. Cambr. (1904) 306 Members of the University in statu pupillari, who are guilty of any of the foregoing practices, render themselves liable to be punished by Suspension, Rustication, Expulsion, or otherwise.
1881 W. E. Gladstone Speech in Comm. 3 Feb. It becomes my duty to make a Motion for the suspension of the following Members... I have to move that they be severally suspended from the service of the House during the remainder of the day's Sitting.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > taking away > [noun] > action of depriving > temporarily
suspension1602
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > [noun] > condition of being restrained > temporarily
suspension1602
1602 in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. 230 Many difficulties at home with himselfe, and actions of others abroad, may make suspension if not diversion from that Spanish invasion.
1637 Briefe Relation Starre-Chamber 7 I was shortly after shutt up close prisoner, with suspension of pen, inke, and paper.
1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety Pref. sig. A A long indefinite suspension from seeing light.
2.
a. The action of stopping or condition of being stopped, esp. for a time; temporary cessation, intermission; temporary abrogation (of a law, rule). suspension of arms or hostilities, an armistice.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun]
steadc1000
leathc1175
abiding1340
broklinga1400
pausation1422
pausing1440
interceasingc1450
suspensing?1504
suspending1524
intermission1526
leathing1535
suspensationc1571
intercession1572
suspense1584
abeyance1593
suspension1603
recession1606
interruption1607
recess1620
intercision1625
intercessation1659
intermittency1662
pretermission1677
break1689
cess1703
intermittence1796
society > law > legislation > [noun] > cessation or suspension
vacance1533
suspension1603
society > armed hostility > peace > [noun] > cessation of hostilities > suspension of hostilities
truce?c1225
abstinence1386
induces1490
abstinence, prorogation of war1517
surseance1523
stay1563
surceasance1587
treague1590
suspension of arms or hostilities1603
cessation1628
still-stand1637
armistice1677
ceasefire1918
the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > cancellation, revocation > [noun] > temporary
suspensationc1571
suspense1584
suspension1603
society > law > rule of law > illegality > [noun] > legal invalidity or faultiness > annulment or abrogation > suspension of law
suspensation?a1800
suspension1835
1603 in T. Rymer & R. Sanderson Fœdera (1715) XVI. 494/1 That..you make a Recesse and Suspention of your Negotiation untill you shall have further Warrant..from our said Soveraigne Lord.
1619 in S. R. Gardiner Lett. Relations Eng. & Germany (1865) 1st Ser. 51 Their suspension of armes will separate their troupes.
1673 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 62 Ye suspencion of ye Rules was mencioned & let fall.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. vi. 100 We see Men in the Tortures of Pain..excepting the short Suspensions of Sleep, for Months together.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xi. 253 Occasioned by a casual delay of the galeon..and not by a total suspension of her departure for the whole season.
1835 Tomlin's Law Dict. at Habeas Corpus A suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act.
1844 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VIII. lxi. 91 He granted a suspension of hostilities.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §2. 477 The suspension of arms lasted through the summer.
b. Law. The abeyance of a right, title, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > withdrawal or loss of legal rights > [noun] > abeyance of a right
suspension1728
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Suspension..is a Temporal Stop of a Man's Right.
1818 in W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Property (ed. 2) III. 221 The suspension in case of coheirs doth not arise from any incapacity either in the blood, or in the persons, of the coheirs.
c. Stoppage of payment of debts or claims on account of financial inability or failure.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > insolvency > [noun] > stopping payment due to inability to pay
suspension1889
1889 Standard 20 Mar. 6/1 It was reported that the creditors of some of the unfortunate brokers who have been caught in the French collapse had offered a composition,..but no suspension was formally announced.
1893 Times 26 Apr. 5/1 The suspension of the London Chartered Bank of Australia was announced to-day.
d. Palaeography. A form of abbreviation consisting in representing a word by its first letter or letters accompanied by the contraction-mark; also, a word abbreviated in this way.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > word-formation > [noun] > abbreviation or contraction
syncope1530
syncopation?1533
accurtation?c1570
decurtation1652
paresis1885
suspension1896
decaudation1897
clipping1933
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > word-formation > [noun] > abbreviation or contraction > a contracted word
syncope1530
syncopation?1533
abbreviation1576
abbreviature1602
abridgement1612
contract1669
contraction1755
shrivel1873
suspension1896
stump word1922
clipping1933
1896 W. M. Lindsay Introd. Lat. Textual Emend. Index Suspension, contractions by.
1912 W. H. Stevenson in Eng. Hist. Rev. Jan. 12 The copyist..appends his mark of suspension to words that he could not fully read.
1915 W. M. Lindsay Notae Latinae 10 By the addition of the final letter the suspension ap was turned into the contraction apd.
3.
a. The action of putting off to a later time; deferring, postponement; †respite.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun]
longingeOE
bideOE
abodec1225
bodea1300
demura1300
dwella1300
litinga1300
delayc1300
delayingc1300
demurrancec1300
but honec1325
without ensoignec1325
abidec1330
dretchingc1330
dwellingc1330
essoinc1330
tarrying1340
litea1350
delaymenta1393
respitea1393
oversettinga1398
delayancea1400
delitea1400
lingeringa1400
stounding?a1400
sunyiea1400
targea1400
train?a1400
deferring14..
dilation14..
dayc1405
prolongingc1425
spacec1430
adjourningc1436
retardationc1437
prolongation?a1439
training1440
adjournment1445
sleuthingc1450
tarry1451
tarriance1460
prorogation1476
oversetc1485
tarriage1488
debaid1489
supersedement1492
superseding1494
off-putting1496
postponing1496
tract1503
dilating1509
sparinga1513
hafting1519
sufferance1523
tracking1524
sticking1525
stay1530
pause1532
protraction1535
tracting1535
protract of time1536
protracting1540
postposition1546
staying1546
procrastination1548
difference1559
surceasing1560
tardation1568
detract1570
detracting1572
tarryment1575
rejourning1578
detraction1579
longness1579
rejournment1579
holding1581
reprieving1583
cunctation1585
retarding1585
retardance1586
temporizing1587
by and by1591
suspensea1592
procrastinatinga1594
tardance1595
linger1597
forslacking1600
morrowing1602
recess1603
deferment1612
attendance1614
put-off1623
adjournal1627
fristing1637
hanging-up1638
retardment1640
dilatoriness1642
suspension1645
stickagea1647
tardidation1647
transtemporation1651
demurragea1656
prolatation1656
prolation1656
moration1658
perendination1658
offput1730
retardure1751
postponement1757
retard1781
traverse1799
tarrowing1832
mañana1845
temporization1888
procrastinativeness1893
deferral1895
traa dy liooar1897
stalling1927
heel-tapping1949
off-put1970
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > (a) respite
spalea1250
lithec1300
respitec1330
sabbath1398
vacationc1425
respetta1450
respectc1450
repose?1549
intermission1576
bait1580
sob1593
respiration1611
vacation1614
suspension1645
relaxation1728
relax1733
1645 E. Waller Upon Death Lady Rich 12 With thousand vows and tears we should have sought That sad decree's suspension to have wrought!
1648 R. Boyle Seraphic Love (1700) xiv. 81 Witness his Suspension of the World's creation, which certainly had had an earlier Date, were the Deity capable of Want.
1660 R. Ellsworth in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 120 What reason hath his Maiestie..to giue any the least suspention vnto those..who haue been..the Enimies of His Royall person?
1816 P. Dow Appeals Ho. Lords III. 224 This bill was not paid by the acceptors; and a protest was taken, and charge given, to the acceptors and indorsers, for each of whom suspensions were offered.
1912 Times 19 Dec. 2/6 In considering what suspension he [sc. the judge] ought to impose [as to a bankrupt's discharge].
b. (willing) suspension of disbelief: Coleridge's phrase for the voluntary withholding of scepticism on the part of the reader with regard to incredible characters and events. Now frequently in allusive or extended use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [noun] > refraining from
(willing) suspension of disbelief1817
suspended disbelief1965
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biographia Literaria II. xiv. 2 A semblance of truth sufficient to procure for these shadows of imagination that willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith.
1930 I. A. Richards Pract. Crit. vii. 277 Coleridge, when he remarked that ‘a willing suspension of disbelief’ accompanied much poetry, was noting an important fact.
1962 N. Coghill in Davis & Wrenn Eng. & Medieval Studies 210 Here indeed is a call upon us for the suspension of our disbelief.
1962 Listener 6 Sept. 366/1 Willing suspension of disbelief doesn't exist for television.
1976 T. Sharpe Wilt (1978) ix. 98 Wilt looked desperately round the caravan and met the eyes of the police stenographer. There was a look in them that didn't inspire confidence. Talk about lack of suspension of disbelief.
4. Scots Law. The staying or postponing of the execution of a sentence pending its discussion in the Supreme Court; a judicial order or warrant for such postponement and discussion (in full, letters of suspension). bill of suspension, a petition for suspension formally presented by the party complaining.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [noun] > a stay or suspension of proceedings
stay1542
suspension1581
truce1609
sisting1648
sist1686
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > sentencing > [noun] > execution of judgement > suspension of
suspension1581
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > complaint in respect of civil claim > written application to court > other bills or petitions
petition of right1467
cross-bill1637
bill of privilege1763
bill of suspension1810
bill of peace1848
1581 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1880) 1st Ser. III. 435 The suspensioun or supercedere grantit of executioun of letters.
1585 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. III. 748 That all suspensionis aganis letters rasit..salbe deliverit be his Hienes chancellar.
?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. 360 Howliglass..New falsat forged out for to defend him: Ane fair suspentione he hes send him.
1672 Justiciary Proc. (1905) II. 76 He had produced a suspension suspending the Warrand.
1765–8 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. iv. iii. §8 Suspension and reduction are..remedies against the iniquitous..decrees of inferior judges.
1810 Act 50 Geo. III c. 112 §41 Bills of suspension and interdict shall with respect to caution remain as at present.
1826 G. J. Bell Comm. Laws Scotl. (ed. 5) I. 385 The bond in a suspension is, that the suspender shall make payment to the charger.
1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scotl. 965 A prayer for letters of suspension and interdict in the premises.
5. The action of keeping any mental action in suspense or abeyance: usually in phrase, e.g. suspension of judgement, opinion; †also absol. hesitation or caution in decision, refraining from decisive action.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun]
yea-and-nayc1384
vacillationc1400
titteringa1413
stackeringc1440
wondingc1440
fluctuationc1450
waver1519
mammering1532
uncertainty1548
wavering1548
to and fro1553
suspense1560
staggering1565
suspension1568
mammery1578
demur1581
branle1591
dilly-dally1592
hesitance1601
irresolution1601
uncertainness1601
undecision1611
waveringness1614
hesitancy1617
unsettledness1619
hesitation1622
unresolvednessa1626
doubleness of minda1628
wavinga1628
swagging1636
poise1637
mambling1640
stickagea1647
vacillancy1668
whifflinga1677
hovering1679
unresolve1679
irresoluteness1686
shilly-shally1755
indecisiona1763
undecisiveness1779
indecisiveness1793
oscillation1798
flexility1815
shilly-shallying1842
swaying1850
Hamletism1852
teeter1855
havering1866
off and on1875
dilly-dallying1879
double-mindedness1881
hesitatingness1890
dither1958
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > [noun] > refraining from action or decision
suspense1560
suspension1568
fence-ridinga1859
fence-sitting1904
1568 Jrnls. Proc. Lords Privy Council in H. Campbell Love Lett. Mary Queen of Scots (1824) App. 44 They..promised to observe hir Majesty's direction, both in the secresy, and in the suspension of their judgments.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. G2v An impatience of doubt, and hast to assertion without due and mature suspention of iudgement. View more context for this quotation
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. viii. 30 In his Indiary relations, wherein are contained..incredible accounts, he is surely to be read with suspension . View more context for this quotation
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. ii. 58 The Acts of this Faculty [sc. the Will] are generally divided into Volition, Nolition, and Suspension.
1680 R. Ferguson Let. to Person of Honour conc. Kings Disavowing 9 Reasons for justifying themselves in the suspension of their assent to this.
1694 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding (new ed.) ii. xxi. 141 During this suspension of any desire, before the will be determined to action.
1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will ii. vii. 71 The Liberty of the Will in this Act of Suspension, consists in a Power to suspend even this Act.
1862 J. F. Stephen Ess. Barrister 64 An amount of doubt, of suspension of opinion,..and..of aversion to every opinion.
1901 N. Amer. Rev. Feb. 296 That state of suspension of judgment which is somewhat inadequately designated agnosticism.
6. The action of keeping or state of being kept in suspense (spec. in Rhetoric); doubt, uncertainty (with expectation of decision or issue); = suspense n. 3. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > [noun]
suspensec1440
hover1513
dispense1562
depending1616
suspension1635
hanging-up1638
cliff-hanging1945
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > figure of speech > figures of structure or thought > [noun] > maintaining suspense
suspension1728
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 196 That suspension tormented her not long.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1662) iv. 207 The Article immediately preceding leaves us in the same suspension.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) In Rhetorick, Suspension is a keeping the Hearer attentive and doubtful.
1798 M. Edgeworth & R. L. Edgeworth Pract. Educ. I. iii. 101 You may exercise his attention by your manner of telling this story: you may employ with advantage the beautiful figure of speech called suspension.
1804 ‘E. de Acton’ Tale without Title I. 79 The face of the father exhibited the appearance of a gathering storm, and after an awful suspension, lightning issued from his eyes.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > rapture > [noun]
zeala1382
suspending1483
rapture1598
zealotism1645
ecstasya1652
fanaticism1652
suspension1669
fanatism1680
rapturousnessa1687
religionism1706
rapturation1792
samadhi1795
Schwärmerei1845
seraphism1846
ecstasis1874
1669 A. Woodhead tr. Life St. Teresa (1671) ii. xxvi. 159 Our Lord holding her in a rapt, or suspension.
8. Music. The action of deferring the progression of a part in harmony by prolonging a note of a chord into the following chord, usually producing a temporary discord; an instance of this, a discord so produced.Sometimes restricted to the case in which the part descends: cf. retardation n. 3a.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > [noun] > movement of parts > suspension, anticipation, etc.
resolution1721
preparation1728
postposition1730
retardation1730
suspense1737
suspension1786
anticipation1819
triple suspension1876
percussion1880
1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music Suspension, a theoretical expression applied to the retaining in any chord some note or notes of the preceding chord.
1838 G. F. Graham Ess. Theory & Pract. Musical Composition 28/2 A variety of dissonances termed suspensions, or syncopations.
1853 J. Smith Treat. Mus. 34 A suspension of the leading note, the suspension resolving upwards.
1891 E. Prout Counterpoint (ed. 2) 17 The suspensions 9 8 and 4 3, with their inversions, are available.
II. Hanging from a support, and related uses.
9.
a. The action of hanging something up; the condition of being hung, or of hanging from a support; occasionally hanging as a form of capital punishment; spec. in Medicine the treatment of disease by suspending the patient; see also quot. 1901. †bridge of suspension = suspension-bridge n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun]
hangingc1400
suspension1656
uphanging1861
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > bridge > suspension bridge
suspended bridge1796
hanging bridge1815
wire bridge1816
chain-bridge1818
bridge of suspension1821
suspension-bridge1821
jhula1830
tension-bridge1877
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > physiotherapy > [noun] > treatment by suspension
suspension1891
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun]
hanginga1300
hangmentc1440
gallows1483
gibbet1502
Tyburn checka1529
Tyburn stretch1573
caudle of hempseed1588
hempen caudle1588
swinging1591
rope law1592
rope-leap1611
cording1619
turn1631
nubbing1673
cravatting1683
gibbetation1689
topping1699
Tyburn jig1699
noosing1819
scragging1819
Tyburn tie1828
Newgate hornpipe1829
dance upon nothing1841
drop1887
suspension1909
1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 1st Pt. f. 56v Threttenynge the woman suspensyon, ye maye call yt hangynge yf ye wyll.]
1656 T. Blount Glossographia Suspension.., a hanging up.
1657 G. Thornley tr. Longus Daphnis & Chloe 41 They vowed an Anniversary suspension to him of some of the first fruits of the year.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1662) iv. 231 True and formal crucifixion is often named by the general word suspension.
1713 R. Steele Guardian No. 131. ⁋2 He hangs 'em over a little Stick, which Suspension inclines them immediately to War upon each other.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Points of Suspension in a Ballance, are those Points in the Axis or Beam wherein the Weights are apply'd; or from which they are suspended.
1819 Philos. Mag. 54 15 A bridge, upon the principle of suspension.
1821 Edinb. Philos. Jrnl. 5 237 Description of Bridges of Suspension.
1891 F. Taylor Man. Pract. Med. (ed. 2) 207 The Method of Suspension [in locomotor ataxy]..was introduced by Professor Charcot.
1901 W. A. N. Dorland Illustr. Med. Dict. (ed. 2) 656/1 Suspension of the uterus, the operation of suturing the uterus to the abdominal wall.
1909 Q. Rev. July 174 A gallows about to be used for the suspension of apprehended robbers.
b. concrete. Something hanging from a support.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that which hangs or is suspended
hanging1549
pendule1578
lob1688
suspension1793
hang1857
mouse1860
hang-down1888
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §143 A strong hawser..being passed under one of the arms of the anchor,..the whole suspension was in that manner purchased.
c. concrete. A support on which something is hung.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that by which something is suspended
pendant1580
suspension1833
suspender1839
hanger1864
suspensor1874
1833 Crabb Dict. Gen. Knowl. (ed. 3) Suspension, or Points of Suspension, those points in the axis..of a balance wherein the weights are applied, or from which they are suspended.
1906 Daily Chron. 15 Nov. 3/6 The gear-box will be easily adjustable on its three-point suspension.
d. Attachment such as to allow of movement about the point of attachment; ‘hanging’, as of a vehicle on springs, straps, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > allowing movement about point of attachment
suspension1891
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > steering, suspension, or wheels > springs, etc., supporting chassis
spring1665
suspension1912
1891 in Cent. Dict.
1912 Sphere 28 Dec. p. vi/2 Lanchester cars by reason of..their luxurious suspension are well suited for colonial requirements.
10. The action of holding up or state of being held up without attachment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > absence of support > [noun] > holding or being held up without support
suspension1646
balance1667
suspense1709
self-poisedness1848
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica ii. iii. 72 If we conceive..that bodies suspended in the aire have this suspension from one or many Loadstones placed both above and below it. View more context for this quotation
1714 R. Fiddes Pract. Disc. (ed. 2) II. 338 The suspension of the clouds in a medium less gross than themselves.
11. The condition of being suspended, as particles, in a medium. Also concrete a collection of suspended particles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > physical chemistry > suspension > [noun]
suspension1707
the world > matter > liquid > action or process of floating > [noun] > being suspended in liquid
suspension1707
the world > space > relative position > support > absence of support > [noun] > holding or being held up without support > in a medium
suspension1707
the world > space > relative position > support > absence of support > [noun] > holding or being held up without support > in a medium > something suspended in a medium
suspension1904
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 340 Its Salts..rise upwards, and circulate..around the Glass Vessel. These Salts, being in this suspension,..dispose themselves into Order.
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 19 To ascertain the nature of that fluid which was capable of holding in solution or suspension that immense mass of solid substances of which the globe of the earth consists.
1857 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. III. vii. 505 The gum becoming dissolved, and retaining the resin and oil in suspension.
1863 C. Lyell Geol. Evid. Antiq. Man iii. 53 Some silt carried down in suspension by the waters of the Forth.
1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 10 Sept. 564 An arbitrarily chosen bacterial suspension in a test-tube.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a. Chiefly in sense 9: ‘of, pertaining to, or involving suspension’.
suspension principle n.
ΚΠ
1825 Gentleman's Mag. 95 i. 628/1 A line of railway..on the suspension principle having been constructed at Cheshunt.
1835 C. F. Partington Brit. Cycl. Arts & Sci. II. 801/2 The bridge over the South Esk at Montrose furnishes a good example of the suspension principle.
b. ‘By which something is or may be suspended’.
suspension apparatus n.
ΚΠ
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 875 Suspension Apparatus..a splint with means of suspension from a frame.
suspension bolt n.
ΚΠ
1837 W. B. Adams Eng. Pleasure Carriages 121 The ends are..curled round a mandril of the size of the suspension bolt.
suspension joint n.
ΚΠ
1867 J. Hogg Microscope (ed. 6) i. ii. 70 Even after the suspension joint has become supple by long use.
suspension-line n.
suspension-link n.
ΚΠ
1884 W. H. Greenwood Steel & Iron (ed. 2) Index Suspension links.
suspension-rod n.
ΚΠ
1842 Penny Cycl. XXIII. 335/1 The suspension-rods are an inch square, and they support transverse cross-bearers.
c. ‘Adapted for being suspended’.
suspension-drill n.
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2464/1 Suspension-drill,..a vertical drilling-machine having a frame which may be bolted to the ceiling, so as to be out of the way.
suspension-scale n.
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2464/2 Suspension-scale, one swung by pendent rods from levers above.
C2.
suspension-chain n. each of the chains which support a suspension-bridge or similar structure.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that by which something is suspended > chain
suspension-chain1823
1823 Seaward in Philos. Mag. 31 Dec. 425 Observations on Suspension Chain Bridges.
1823 in Daily News 5 Dec. (1896) 5/7 Over the top of each tower pass the main suspension chains which issue from the body of the cliff.
suspension dot n. one of a series of dots used to indicate an omission or an interval in a printed text.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printers' symbols and directions > [noun] > omission marks
suspension dot1949
suspension period1963
suspension point1963
1949 G. Summey Amer. Punctuation viii. 109 Suspension dots or ‘French dots’ (points de suspension) occur in groups, usually of three, usually spaced but sometimes closed up. They mark preceding material as unfinished, or left dangling an instant for attention. They are used within sentences or as terminal points— sometimes in place of the usual sentence point, sometimes in addition. (Ellipsis dots, in the same form, are discussed in Chapter 9.)
suspension-feeder n. a bottom-dwelling aquatic animal which feeds on plankton, etc. found in suspension in the surrounding water.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by eating habits > [noun] > suspension-feeder
suspension-feeder1925
1925 O. D. Hunt in Jrnl. Marine Biol. Assoc. 13 567 Those which feed by selecting from the surrounding water the suspended micro-organisms and detritus,..for want of a better term, may be termed Suspension-feeders.
1959 A. C. Hardy Open Sea II. v. 106 Most animals on rocks or stones will be suspension-feeders,..because little detritus can remain there.
1975 Nature 7 Aug. 521/1 As those samples included some typical ‘suspension-feeders’ (Porifera, Ectoprocta, Sabellida and so on), a water current able to transport the food items evidently exists and may explain the development of a rich bottom fauna under the Ross Ice Shelf.
suspension-feeding adj. and n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by eating habits > [adjective] > carnivorous > feeding on plankton
suspension-feeding1925
filter-feeding1931
planktotrophic1946
the world > animals > by eating habits > eating habits > [noun] > feeding on plankton
suspension-feeding1925
filter feeding1927
planktotrophy1973
1925 Jrnl. Marine Biol. Assoc. 13 575 The contents of their stomachs resembles closely that of the suspension-feeding molluscs.
1963 R. P. Dales Annelids ii. 53 They [sc. sabellids] are not the only ones that have adopted suspension-feeding.
suspension period n.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printers' symbols and directions > [noun] > omission marks
suspension dot1949
suspension period1963
suspension point1963
1963 H. Shaw Punctuate it Right! xvi. 91 When ellipsis periods come at the end of a statement requiring a period, then four of these ‘suspension periods’ or ‘suspension points’..are occasionally used.
suspension-pier n. a pier supported in the manner of a suspension-bridge, a chain-pier.
ΚΠ
1822 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 352 The erection of suspension piers.
suspension point n. = suspension dot n. above.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printers' symbols and directions > [noun] > omission marks
suspension dot1949
suspension period1963
suspension point1963
1963 H. Shaw Punctuate it Right! xvi. 91 When ellipsis periods come at the end of a statement requiring a period, then four of these ‘suspension periods’ or ‘suspension points’..are occasionally used.
1969 G. Smith in Lett. Aldous Huxley 4 He often used suspension points (…) in place of commas or final stops when typewriting.
1972 Computers & Humanities 6 152 Omit some parenthetic clauses of no importance to the context, and..replace them by suspension points.
suspension polymerization n. polymerization in which the polymer separates out from a dispersion of the monomer in a liquid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > treating or processing textile materials > treating or processing man-made materials > [noun]
suspension polymerization1944
the world > matter > chemistry > polymer chemistry > polymerization > [noun] > suspension polymerization
suspension polymerization1944
1944 India Rubber World CXI. 173/1 More details on suspension polymerization will be given in another article on this same subject.
1973 Materials & Technol. VI. viii. 504 Suspension polymerization is more suited to batch operation and it is difficult to convert it into a continuous process.
suspension-railway n. a railway in which the wheels run on an elevated rail or pair of rails, the bodies of the carriages being suspended below them.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicle travelling on or by cable > [noun] > cableway or cable railway
rope-way1665
aerial railway1839
rope railway1849
tramway1872
funicular railway1874
suspension-railway1875
cable-road1882
telpher line1884
cable-railroad1887
cable-railway1887
cable tramway1887
funiculaire1888
funicular1888
cable-way1899
aerial tramway1904
blondin1906
teleferic1916
mono-cable1922
téléphérique1922
Seilbahn1963
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2464/1 Suspension-railway, a railway in which the carriage is suspended from an elevated track.
suspension-tower n. each of the towers to which the chains are attached in a suspension-bridge or the like.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > bridge > parts of
pierlOE
bridge foota1450
heada1450
staddling1461
foota1500
bridge end1515
jowel1516
causey1523
starling?c1684
rib1735
spur1736
icebreaker1744
jetty1772
cutwater1776
roadway1798
sleeper1823
water-breaker1823
centrya1834
stem1835
suspension-tower1842
cantilever1850
semi-beam1850
pylon1851
half-chess1853
span1862
sway-bracing1864
needle-beam1867
ice apron1871
newel1882
flood-arch1891
needle girder1898
sway-brace1909
trough flooring1911
1842 Penny Cycl. XXIII. 334/2 The roadway, which rises about two feet in the centre between the suspension-towers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1918; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1528