\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.
Usage: 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.