Sus*pend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suspended; p. pr. & vb. n. Suspending.] [F. suspendre, or OF. souspendre (where the prefix is L. subtus below, from sub under), L. suspendere, suspensum; pref. sus- (see Sub-) + pendere to hang. See Pedant, and cf. Suspense, n.]
1.
To attach to something above; to hang; as, to suspend a ball by a thread; to suspend a needle by a loadstone.
2.
To make to depend; as, God hath suspended the promise of eternal life on the condition of obedience and holiness of life.
[Archaic]
Tillotson.
3.
To cause to cease for a time; to hinder from proceeding; to interrupt; to delay; to stay.
Suspend your indignation against my brother.
Shak.
The guard nor fights nor fies; their fate so near
At once suspends their courage and their fear.
Denham.
4.
To hold in an undetermined or undecided state; as, to suspend one's judgment or opinion.
Locke.
5.
To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.; as, to suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club.
Good men should not be suspended from the exercise of their ministry and deprived of their livelihood for ceremonies which are on all hands acknowledged indifferent.
Bp. Sanderson.
6.
To cause to cease for a time from operation or effect; as, to suspend the habeas corpus act; to suspend the rules of a legislative body.
7. Chem.
To support in a liquid, as an insoluble powder, by stirring, to facilitate chemical action.
To suspend payment Com., to cease paying debts or obligations; to fail; -- said of a merchant, a bank, etc.
Syn. -- To hang; interrupt; delay; intermit; stay; hinder; debar.
© Webster 1913.
Sus*pend" (?), v. i.
To cease from operation or activity; esp., to stop payment, or be unable to meet obligations or engagements (said of a commercial firm or a bank).
© Webster 1913.