A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1569-1606
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Suspens, Suspence, n. [Late ME and e.m.E. suspense (Hoccleve), suspens (c1440), suspence (1492), AF (en) suspens (1306 in OED) (in) abeyance (MF suspens, 15th c. in Larousse), L. suspensus, p.p. of suspendere.] a. (Chiefly in legal contexts) In suspens, in abeyance; with action or judgment deferred. Also, to hold (a matter) in suspence. b. A state of mental uncertainty; the condition of being kept waiting. —a. 1576 Reg. Privy C. II 522.
That the saidis landis … remane in the menetyme in suspens un-mellit or intromettit with be ayther of the saidis partiis 1580 Reg. Privy C. III 322.
All personis arreistit … salbe on nawyse persewit for ony cryme or deid committit be thame afoir Craigbent, bot that the same ly ower in suspens unpersewit 1606 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 20.
To travell airnistlie for taking away the … present dissantioun … and nocht to leif the sam lowse or in suspence — 1575 Laing MSS 25.
To hald the mater langar in suspence tueching the contract —b. a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS 421/79.
Sa thoghe ȝe seim a seasoun in suspence Ȝour resoune rype will rychtly ȝow resolwe c1590 Fowler II 43/17.
That the confutatioun of this conclusioun the mair easily may be concaued, & for eschewing of tha things quhilks may reteine the lecteur in suspence
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"Suspens n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/suspens_n>
