Unsettled state (5)
I believe the answer is:
limbo
'unsettled state' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for limbo that I've seen before include "Unsettled state" , "Prison" , "Period of uncertainty" , "It's close to hell!" , "Former state as for unbaptised souls" .)