[an.tic.i.pa.tion] n (14c) 1 a: a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action b: the act of looking forward; esp: pleasurable expectation
2: the use of money before it is available 3 a: visualization of a future event or state b: an object or form that anticipates a later type
4: the early sounding of one or more tones of a succeeding chord to form a temporary dissonance--compare suspension syn see prospect