[ex.pect] vb [L exspectare to look forward to, fr. ex- + spectare to look at, fr. spectus, pp. of specere to look--more at spy] vi (1560) 1 archaic: wait, stay
2: to look forward
3: to be pregnant: await the birth of one's child--used in progressive tenses "she's ~ing next month" ~ vt 1 archaic: await
2: suppose, think
3: to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of "we ~ them any minute now" "~ed a telephone call"
4. a: to consider probable or certain "~ to be forgiven" "~ that things will improve" b: to consider reasonable, due, or necessary "~ed hard work from the students" c: to consider bound in duty or obligated "they ~ you to pay your bills" -- ex.pect.able adj -- ex.pect.ably adv -- ex.pect.ed.ly adv -- ex.pect.ed.ness n syn expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome. expect implies a high degree of certainty and usu. involves the idea of preparing or envisioning "expects to be finished by Tuesday". hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen "hopes to find a job soon". look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled "looks to a tidy profit from the sale"; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness "look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast".