\Ex`pec*ta"tion\n. [L. expectio. exspectio: cf. F.
expectation.]
1. The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an
   event as about to happen. ``In expectation of a guest.''
   --Tennyson.
         My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation
         is from him.                          --Ps. lxii. 5.
2. That which is expected or looked for.
         Why our great expectation should be called The seed
         of woman.                             --Milton.
3. The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something
   excellent is expected to happen; prospect of anything good
   to come, esp. of property or rank.
         His magnificent expectations made him, in the
         opinion of the world, the best match in Europe.
                                               --Prescott.
         By all men's eyes a youth of expectation. --Otway.
4. The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or
   property) which depends upon some contingent event.
   Expectations are computed for or against the occurrence of
   the event.
5. (Med.) The leaving of the disease principally to the
   efforts of nature to effect a cure.
{Expectation of life}, the mean or average duration of the
   life individuals after any specified age.
Syn: Anticipation; confidence; trust.