'suspenseful' originates from the word 'suspense,' which comes from the Latin word 'suspensus,' meaning 'to hang up or suspend.'

'suspense' evolved from the Old French word 'suspens,' which was derived from the Latin 'suspensus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'suspenseful.'

Initially, it meant 'to hang or suspend,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'full of suspense.'