An*tic"i*pate (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Anticipated (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Anticipating (&?;).] [L. anticipatus, p. p. of
anticipare to anticipate; ante + capere to make. See
Capable.] 1. 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.
R. Hall.
He would probably have died by the hand of the executioner,
if indeed the executioner had not been anticipated by the
populace.
Macaulay.
2. 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.
3. To foresee (a wish, command, etc.) and do
beforehand that which will be desired.
4. 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.
Syn. -- 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.
Milton.
I would not anticipate the relish of any happiness,
nor feel the weight of any misery, before it actually arrives.
Spectator.
Timid men were anticipating another civil war.
Macaulay.
