1630s, "state of being undecided or in continuance," from pendent + abstract noun suffix -cy. The more literal sense of "state of being suspended" (1770) is rare. Related: Pendence (1620s).
Entries linking to pendency
pendent adj.
"hanging, suspended," c. 1600 respelling of Middle English pendaunt "hanging, hanging down, overhanging" (late 14c., from Old French pendant "hanging;" see pendant) on the model of its Latin original, pendentem. Related: Pendently.
-cy
abstract noun suffix of quality or rank, from Latin -cia, -tia, from Greek -kia, -tia, from abstract ending -ia (see -ia) + stem ending -c- or -t-. The native correspondents are -ship, -hood.