anticipate

English edit

Etymology edit

From Latin anticipātus, perfect passive participle of anticipāre (“anticipate”); from ante (“before”), + capere (“take”). See capable.

Pronunciation edit

(UK) IPA^(key): /ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/
(US) IPA^(key): /ænˈtɪs.ə.peɪt/, [ɛənˈtɪs.ə.peɪt]
- Audio (US) (file)
(General Australian) IPA^(key): /ænˈtɪs.ɪ.pæɪt/

Verb edit

anticipate (third-person singular simple present anticipates, present participle anticipating, simple past and past participle anticipated)

(transitive) To act before (someone), especially to prevent an action.
- c. 1824 (written, published in 1891) Robert Hall, Fragment on Popery
  When two parties, each formidable for their numbers, and the weight of their influence and property, are animated by an equal degree of zeal, it is natural to anticipate the final success of that which possesses the most inherent strength.
- 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter 20, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volumes (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:
  He would probably have died by the hand of the executioner, if indeed the executioner had not been anticipated by the populace.
Synonym: preclude
to take up or introduce (something) prematurely.
The advocate plans to anticipate a part of her argument.
to know of (something) before it happens; to expect.
to anticipate the pleasures of a visit

to anticipate the evils of life

Please anticipate a journey of an hour from your house to the airport
- 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 31, in The Dust of Conflict‎^[1]:
  The task was more to Appleby's liking than the one he had anticipated, and it was necessary, since the smaller merchants in Cuba and also in parts of Peninsular Spain have no great confidence in bankers, and prefer a packet of golden onzas or a bag of pesetas to the best accredited cheque.
- 2011 October 2, Jonathan Jurejko, “Bolton 1 - 5 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport‎^[2]:
  But surely they did not anticipate the ease with which their team raced into an almost impregnable half-time lead.
Synonyms: expect, foretaste, foresee
to eagerly wait for (something)
Little Johnny started to anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus a week before Christmas.

Synonym: look forward to

Usage notes edit

The words anticipate and expect both regard some future event as likely to take place. Nowadays they are often used interchangeably although anticipate is associated with acting because of an expectation: e.g. "skilled sportsmen anticipate the action and position themselves accordingly".