Crossword Genius

Foul can be a half-year suspension (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abeyance

'suspension' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'foul can be a half-year' is the wordplay.
'foul' indicates anagramming the letters.
'half' indicates taking half.
'year' with half the letters taken is 'ye'.
'can'+'be'+'a'+'ye'='canbeaye'
'canbeaye' is an anagram of 'ABEYANCE'.

(Other definitions for abeyance that I've seen before include "State of temporary cessation" , "Adjournment" , "Recess" , "State of temporary disuse" , "Temporary pause - suspension" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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