suspense

plural suspenses · alternative obsolete suspence

1. uncountableusuallyThe condition of being suspended; cessation for a time.

   For thee the Fates, severely kind, ordain / A cool suspense from pleasure and from pain; / Thy life a long dead calm of fix'd repose; / No pulse that riots, and no blood that glows.

   1717, Alexander Pope, Eloisa to Abelard, lines 249–252; republished in The Complete Poetical Works of Alexander Pope, Boston, New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1902, page 113

2. uncountableusuallyThe pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc.
3. uncountableusuallyThe unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation.

   Ten days the prophet in suspense remain'd.

   1636 (date written), John Denham, “The Destruction of Troy, an Essay upon the Second Book of Virgils Æneis”, in Poems and Translations, with The Sophy, London: […] [John Macock] for H[enry] Herringman […], published 1668, →OCLC

   1 more example

   I believe that, to the young, suspense is the most intolerable suffering. Active misery always brings with it its own power of endurance.

   1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 265–266

4. uncountableusuallylawA temporary cessation of one's right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.
5. USuncountableusuallygovernmentA deadline.

   She sent us that assignment with a suspense of noon tomorrow.

alternative obsolete suspence

1. not comparableobsoleteHeld or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.

   [The great light of day] suspens in heav'n.

   1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

2. not comparableobsoleteExpressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.

   Expectation held his look suspense.

   1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC