expectation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.

   “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

2. 2
   noun

   That which is expected or looked for.

   And so it had always pleased M. Stutz to expect great things from the dark young man whom he had first seen in his early twenties ; and his expectations had waxed rather than waned on hearing the faint bruit of the love of Ivor and Virginia—for Virginia, M. Stutz thought, would bring fineness to a point in a man like Ivor Marlay,[…].

3. 3
   noun

   The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to occur; prospect of anything good to come, especially of property or rank.

   Emma was not sorry to be pressed. She read, and was surprized. The style of the letter was much above her expectation. There were not merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition it would not have disgraced a gentleman; the language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer. It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling. She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a "Well, well," and was at last forced to add, "Is it a good letter? or is it too short?"

4. 4
   noun

   belief about (or mental picture of) the future

5. 5
   noun

   the sum of the values of a random variable divided by the number of values

6. 6
   noun

   the feeling that something is about to happen

7. 7
   noun

   anticipating with confidence of fulfillment

8. 8
   noun

   The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or property) which depends upon some contingent event.

Etymology

From Middle French expectation, from Latin exspectātiō, from exspectō (“expect”). By surface analysis, expect + -ation. Displaced native Old English wēn.