- expect
-
verb
Etymology: Latin exspectare to look forward to, from ex- + spectare to look at, frequentative of specere to look — more at spy
Date: 1560
intransitive verb
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 expecting next month> transitive verb 1. archaic await 2. to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of <we expect them any minute now> <expected a telephone call> 3. suppose, think 4. a. to consider probable or certain <expect to be forgiven> <expect that things will improve> b. to consider reasonable, due, or necessary <expected hard work from the students> c. to consider bound in duty or obligated <they expect you to pay your bills> • expectable adjective • expectably adverb • expectedly adverb • expectedness noun Synonyms: expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome. expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually 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>.
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.