[an.tic.i.pate] vb -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [L anticipatus, pp. of anticipare, fr. ante- + -cipare (fr. capere to take)--more at heave] vt (1532) 1: to give advance thought, discussion, or treatment to
2: to meet (an obligation) before a due date
3: to foresee and deal with in advance: forestall
4: to use or expend in advance of actual possession
5: to act before (another) often so as to check or counter
6: to look forward to as certain: expect ~ vi: to speak or write in knowledge or expectation of later matter syn see foresee, prevent -- an.tic.i.pat.able adj -- an.tic.i.pa.tor n