ANTICIPATE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Anticipate

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/æntˈɪsəpˌeɪt/ Listen

verb

Anticipate v. t. (past & past part. anticipated; pres. part. anticipating)

To be before in doing; to do or take before another; to preclude or prevent by prior action. "To anticipate and prevent the duke's purpose." "He would probably have died by the hand of the executioner, if indeed the executioner had not been anticipated by the populace."

To take up or introduce beforehand, or before the proper or normal time; to cause to occur earlier or prematurely; as, the advocate has anticipated a part of his argument.

To foresee (a wish, command, etc.) and do beforehand that which will be desired.

To foretaste or foresee; to have a previous view or impression of; as, to anticipate the pleasures of a visit; to anticipate the evils of life.

Synonyms: To prevent; obviate; preclude; forestall; expect. To Anticipate, Expect. These words, as here compared, agree in regarding some future event as about to take place. Expect is the stringer. It supposes some ground or reason in the mind for considering the event as likely to happen. Anticipate is, literally, to take beforehand, and here denotes simply to take into the mind as conception of the future. Hence, to say, "I did not anticipate a refusal," expresses something less definite and strong than to say, " did not expect it." Still, anticipate is a convenient word to be interchanged with expect in cases where the thought will allow. "Good with bad Expect to hear; supernal grace contending With sinfulness of men." "I would not anticipate the relish of any happiness, nor feel the weight of any misery, before it actually arrives." "Timid men were anticipating another civil war."

See images of 'Anticipate'

Etymology of 'Anticipate'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Anticipate" Quotes from Famous Books

... had already been written; and when it closed, Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to meditate upon Charlotte's degree of contentment, to understand her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with, her husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well. She had also to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet tenor of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions of Mr. Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with Rosings. A lively imagination soon settled ...

— Persuasion • Jane Austen

... impossible that he should deny it. It seems, he has formed some plan of defence against this and similar charges, which he thinks will avail him in a court of justice, and which it would be imprudent in him to anticipate at this time. If he has not received the money, we see no reason for such a guarded and cautious method of proceeding. An innocent man would take a shorter and easier course. He would voluntarily exculpate ...

— The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. VIII. (of 12) • Edmund Burke

... arisen. We are for reasons that, after perusing this manuscript, you may be able to guess, going away again this time to Central Asia where, if anywhere upon this earth, wisdom is to be found, and we anticipate that our sojourn there will be a long one. Possibly we shall not return. Under these altered conditions it has become a question whether we are justified in withholding from the world an account of a phenomenon which we believe to be of unparalleled interest, merely because our ...

— She • H. Rider Haggard

... head or king. Having his church fully gathered, he hath his complete kingdom, his perfect body; and this being done, he wants nothing, so far as he is Mediator: so that the Holy Ghost doth here, as it were on purpose, anticipate this opinion, lest any should think all civil government is given to Christ as Mediator. Though, as God, he filleth heaven and earth, yet, as Mediator, his filling of all in all extends no further than his body, his church, which ...

— The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) • George Gillespie

... led to a result he did not intend nor anticipate. Zoe, being now cool, fell into a state of compunction and dismay. She saw his affection leaving her for her, and ...

— The Woman-Hater • Charles Reade

More quotes...