When a custom, a rule, a title, or a system is in abeyance, people are not using it at the moment. It has not been thrown away. It is more like a tool left in a drawer: still there, just not in anyone's hands right now.

When a custom, a rule, a title, or a system is in abeyance當一個習俗、規定、頭銜，或制度處於abeyance狀態時, people are not using it at the moment代表現在沒有人在用它。It has not been thrown away它並沒有被丟掉。It is more like a tool left in a drawer它比較像是一個被放在抽屜裡的工具: still there, just not in anyone's hands right now還在那裡，只是現在沒有人拿在手上。

You will hear it with laws, club rules, and talks between countries — held in abeyance, left in abeyance. It is a formal word; friends almost never say it about everyday things.

You will hear it with laws, club rules, and talks between countries你會在法律、社團規定，以及國家之間的談判裡聽到這個字 — held in abeyance, left in abeyance像held in abeyance、left in abeyance這樣的說法。It is a formal word這是一個正式的字; friends almost never say it about everyday things朋友之間講日常事情幾乎不會用它。

Though actually, the word began in law. If a piece of land had no owner yet, the right to it was in abeyance: hanging open, waiting. Later, English used that same picture for any rule or habit that is sleeping.

Though actually不過其實, the word began in law這個字最早是從法律裡來的。If a piece of land had no owner yet如果一塊土地還沒有主人, the right to it was in abeyance它的所有權就處於abeyance狀態: hanging open, waiting懸而未決，等著。Later後來, English used that same picture for any rule or habit that is sleeping英文就把同一個畫面用在任何「休眠中」的規定或習慣上。

One more real-life bit: we nearly always say the whole phrase in abeyance. An abeyance by itself is rare.

One more real-life bit再補充一個實際用法上的小細節: we nearly always say the whole phrase in abeyance我們幾乎都是整組說「in abeyance」。An abeyance by itself is rare單獨一個abeyance這樣用是很少見的。