Sus·pend v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suspended; p. pr. & vb. n. Suspending.]
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]
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.
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.