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Webster 1913 Edition

Anticipate

An-tic′i-pate

,
Verb.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Anticipate

ANTIC'IPATE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. anticipo, of ante, before, and capio, to take.]
1.
To take or act, before another, so as to prevent him; to take first possession.
2.
To take before the proper time; as, the advocate has anticipated that part of his argument.
3.
To foretaste or foresee; to have a previous view or impression of something future; as, to anticipate the pleasures of an entertainment; to anticipate the evils of life.
4.
To prevent by crowding in before; to preclude.
[This sense is essentially included in the first.]

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