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.
Hear it pronounced