I. ikˈspektənt, (ˈ)ek|s- adjective
Etymology: Middle English expectaunt, from Latin expectant-, exspectant-, expectans, exspectans, present participle of expectare, exspectare to await, look forward to
1.
a. : characterized by expectation : expecting , waiting
the expectant crowds all curious to catch a glimpse of some familiar face — London Calling
spoke as one expectant of unquestioning obedience — S.H.Adams
b. : expecting the birth of a child
an expectant father
specifically : pregnant
expectant mothers
2. : having expectations : prospective
scruples … raised in the mind of the expectant heir — Jonathan Swift
3. : existing in expectation : in prospect : expected
the fee expectant on his wife's life estate — Thomas Jarman
4. of the treatment of disease : involving alleviation of immediate distress without basic interference with the development of the pathologic process : conservative
II. noun
( -s )
: one who is expectant ; specifically : a candidate for a position