Suspense
/səˈspɛns/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The condition of being suspended; cessation for a time. uncountable, usually
"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."
- 2 an uncertain cognitive state wordnet
- 3 the pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc. uncountable, usually
- 4 excited anticipation of an approaching climax wordnet
- 5 The unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation. uncountable, usually
"Ten days the prophet in suspense remain'd."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 apprehension about what is going to happen wordnet
- 7 A 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. uncountable, usually
- 8 A deadline. US, uncountable, usually
"She sent us that assignment with a suspense of noon tomorrow."
Adjective
- 1 Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding. not-comparable, obsolete
"[The great light of day] suspens in heav'n."
- 2 Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt. not-comparable, obsolete
"Expectation held his look suspense."
Example
More examples"Suspense is the very stuff of narrative."
Etymology
From Middle English suspense, suspence, from Anglo-Norman suspens (as in en suspens) and Old French suspens, from Latin suspēnsus.