a. and sb. [ad. med.L. *suspensōrius (whence F. suspensoire (16th c.), Pr. suspensori, It. sospensorio, Sp., Pg. suspensorio), f. L. suspens-, suspendĕre: see SUSPENSE and -ORY. As a sb., after F. suspensoir(e.] A. adj.
I. 1. Having the function of suspending, i.e., supporting something suspended. a. Anat. Applied to a ligament, muscle, or other structure, by which some part or organ is suspended.
1541. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Cyrurg., I iv b. The synew suspensory and sensyfe that descendeth to the genytalles.
1691. Ray, Creation, II. (1692), 35. To such Beasts as … are forced to hold their Eyes long in a hanging posture,… the seventh or suspensory Muscle is very useful.
1831. Youatt, Horse, 252. The suspensory ligament is sometimes ruptured by extraordinary exertion.
1839–47. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., III. 924/1. The true suspensory ligament is calculated by its position and strength to prevent the surgeon from depressing the penis sufficiently to straighten the urethra.
1872. Huxley, Physiol., ix. 227. The crystalline lens … is kept in place by a … membranous frame or suspensory ligament.
b. Surg. Applied to a bandage, bag, sling, or one like, in which a diseased or injured part is suspended for support.
1848. Dunglison, Med. Lex. (ed. 7), Suspensory Bandage … is a bandage intended to support the scrotum, in cases of diseases of the testicle or of scrotal hernia.
1884. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg., II. 216. If the patient … is unable to keep at rest, the parts must be well supported by a suspensory bandage.
c. In general sense.
1838. Fraser’s Mag., XVII. 680. A tray hanging forward from a body under the suspensory action of two arms.
1883. Harper’s Mag., July, 930/2. A multitude of suspensory stays of steel wire ropes.
† 2. Adapted to be hung up. Obs. rare–1.
a. 1682. Sir T. Browne, Tracts, ii. (1683), 90. The Crowns and Garlands of the Ancients were … Pensile or Suspensory.
II. † 3. Marked by or indicating mental suspense; doubtful, lacking certainty or assurance.
1611. Cotgr., Suspensoire,… suspensorie, in suspence.
1682. Sir T. Browne, Chr. Mor., II. iii. (1716), 50. This moves sober Pens unto suspensory and timorous assertions.
4. = SUSPENSIVE 4.
1884. Truth, 4 Sept., 363/2. The Upper house might be given a suspensory veto on the legislation of the Lower House.
1885. Law Times’ Rep., LII. 684/2. The Act … gave a short suspensory period during which actions could be brought that would not fall within the limitations of time enacted.
1893. Times, 17 May, 9/4. The Welsh Disestablishment party have themselves recognised, in a caucus held yesterday, the futility of endeavouring to proceed, in the face of such resistance, with the Suspensory Bill.
B. sb.
[The following entry in Blount’s Glossogr., 1656, ‘Suspensories,… certain cords or strings (hanging from the Bedstead) for a sick man to take hold of, and bear himself up with, when he would remove or alter his lying’ is a copy of Cotgrave’s definition s.v. Suspersoires.]
Surg. and Anat. A suspensory bandage, ligament, etc. (see A. 1 a, b); a suspensorium.
1699. trans. De La Vauguion’s Chirurg. Oper., Expl. Figures, Fig. 44. The Suspensory of the Napkin which goes round the Breast.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey).
1901. Dorland, Med. Dict. (ed. 2).
