1. To put off to a later time.
2. To place lower in precedence or importance; esp., to subordinate (a lien) to a later one.
3. Parliamentary law. To temporarily or permanently suppress a main motion. — postponement, n.
postpone definitely. To delay a main motion’s consideration to a specified time or until a specified condition occurs, usu. by the next meeting — or to the next meeting as unfinished business.
— Also termed postpone to a certain time; postpone to a definite time; postpone to a time certain. See TIME CERTAIN.
postpone indefinitely. To dispose of a main motion without taking a view on its merits while preventing its further consideration during the same session. • This motion’s ancient form in the English Parliament was to postpone consideration until “this day six months” (or “three months”) — that is, some time beyond the current session, sufficiently remote that the body expected not to consider the matter again.
— Also termed indefinite postponement.
postpone temporarily. See TABLE.
postpone to a certain time. See postpone definitely.
postpone to a definite time. See postpone definitely.
postpone to a time certain. See postpone definitely.
