— expectable , adj. — expectably , adv. — expectedly , adv. — expectedness , n. — expecter , n. — expectingly , adv.
/ik spekt"/ , v.t.
1. to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of: I expect to read it. I expect him later. She expects that they will come.
2. to look for with reason or justification: We expect obedience.
3. Informal. to suppose or surmise; guess: I expect that you are tired from the trip.
4. to anticipate the birth of (one's child): Paul and Sylvia expect their second very soon.
v.i.
5. be expecting , to be pregnant: The cat is expecting again.
[ 1550-60; ex ( s ) pectare to look out for, await, equiv. to ex- EX- 1 + spectare to look at, freq. of specere; see SPECTACLE ]
Syn. 1. EXPECT, ANTICIPATE, HOPE, AWAIT all imply looking to some future event. EXPECT implies confidently believing, usually for good reasons, that an event will occur: to expect a visit from a friend. ANTICIPATE is to look forward to an event and even to picture it: Do you anticipate trouble? HOPE implies a wish that an event may take place and an expectation that it will: to hope for the best. AWAIT (WAIT FOR) implies being alert and ready, whether for good or evil: to await news after a cyclone.
Usage. 3. This sense of EXPECT ( I expect you went with them. I expect you want to leave now. ) is encountered in the speech of educated people but seldom in their writing.