abeyance

The story

1. Medieval Latin · derived frombatō“to yawn”
2. Old French · derived fromabeance“desire”
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromabeiance“legal expectation”
4. English todayabeyance

First attested in 1528. From Anglo-Norman abeiance (“legal expectation”), from Old French abeance (“desire”) from abeër (“to gape at, aspire after”), abaer, abair (“to desire”), from a (“to”) + baër (“to gape”), bair (“yawn”), from Medieval Latin batō (“to yawn”).

First known use, by meaning

• Late 16ᵗʰ century Expectancy; a condition when an ownership of real property is undetermined; lapse in succession of ownership of estate, or title.
• Mid 17ᵗʰ century Suspension; temporary suppression; dormant condition.