sus|pen|sion

sus|pen|sion «suh SPEHN shuhn», noun.

1. a) the act of suspending: »

the suspension of a boy from school for bad conduct, suspension of judgment or opinion, the suspension of a driver's license for speeding.

SYNONYM(S): interruption, intermission, stop, postponement, respite. b) the condition of being suspended: »

a suspension from office.

SYNONYM(S): interruption, intermission, stop, postponement, respite.

2. a support on which something is suspended.

3. the arrangement of springs, shock absorbers, or similar devices above the axles, for supporting the body of an automobile, railroad car, or the like.

4. a) a mixture in which very small particles of a solid remain suspended without dissolving: »

Muddy water is a suspension of tiny dirt particles in water (John P. Fackler, Jr.).

b) the condition of the solid in such a mixture. c) a solid in such condition.

5. inability to pay one's debts; failure: »

the suspension of a bank.

6. the temporary deprivation of a clergyman of his right to perform his sacred duties or to receive his ecclesiastical dues.

7. Electricity. a wire or filament for supporting the moving part of various instruments.

8. the method or mechanism by which the pendulum or balance wheel is suspended in a clock or watch.

9. Music. a) a prolonging of one or more tones of a chord into the following chord, usually producing a temporary discord until the part or parts prolonged are allowed to proceed. b) the tone or tones so prolonged.

10. a) the act of keeping in suspense. b) the state of being kept in suspense.