01 n. The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.
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1.
The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.“My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from him.” — Ps. lxii. 5.
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2.
That which is expected or looked for.“Why our great expectation should be called The seed of woman.” — Milton.
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3.
The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to happen; prospect of anything good to come, esp. of property or rank.“His magnificent expectations made him, in the opinion of the world, the best match in Europe.” — Prescott.“By all men's eyes a youth of expectation.” — Otway.
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4.
The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or property) which depends upon some contingent event. Expectations are computed for or against the occurrence of the event.
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5.
The leaving of the disease principally to the efforts of nature to effect a cure.(Med.)
Phrases & compounds
Expectation of life —
the mean or average duration of the life individuals after any specified age.
Syn.
Anticipation; confidence; trust.