expectancy

[ ik-spek-tuh n-see ]

/ ɪkˈspɛk tən si /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expectancy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ex·pect·an·cies.

the quality or state of expecting; expectation; anticipatory belief or desire.

the state of being expected.

an object of expectation; something expected.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Also ex·pect·ance.

Origin of expectancy

From the Medieval Latin word ex(s)pectantia, dating back to 1590–1600. See expectant, -ancy

Can be confusedexpectancy expectation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expectancy

The ever recurrent fever of expectancy assailed Martin as he took the bundle of long envelopes.
Martin Eden|Jack London
Expectancy was rife to the effect that co-operation from the sea was to assist in driving the Germans from the Belgian coast.
The Story of the 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry|G. K. Rose
The restaurants seemed shining with the eagerness of expectancy.
Cape of Storms|Percival Pollard
Confused cries arose, altercations and strange shouts; then a hush of expectancy, of fear, seemed to possess the boat crews.
Darkness and Dawn|George Allan England

After such an exciting demonstration we awaited the next move with some expectancy.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson

British Dictionary definitions for expectancy

expectancy

expectance

/ (ɪkˈspɛktənsɪ) /

noun

something expected, esp on the basis of a norm or averagehis life expectancy was 30 years

anticipation; expectation

the prospect of a future interest or possession, esp in propertyan estate in expectancy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for expectancy

expectancy

1590s, from Latin expectantia (see expectant) + -ancy.