expectance
(ɛkˈspɛktəns)
[f. L. expectantia, n. of state f. expectant-em: see expectant.]
1. The action or state of waiting for anything. In later use only with mixture of sense 2 in phrase after long expectance. Somewhat arch.
| 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 1092 At length after long expectance..they were..brought forth into the field. 1628 Digby Voy. Medit. (1868) 4 In expectance of the others companie. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece i. 20 After a long and fruitless expectance of Succours. a 1717 Parnell Gift of Poetry (1758) 149 Long expectance of a bliss delay'd Breeds anxious doubt. 1724 Swift Drapier's Lett. iv, The addresses of both houses after long expectance produced nothing but a report in favour of Wood. 1818 R. Southey in Q. Rev. XVIII. 8 The slow season of expectance past, True Love..[might] Requite the sorrows of this hard delay. 1863 Kinglake Crimea II. 249 Now at length, and after long expectance, they indeed would go into action. |
† b. With indirect question: The state of waiting to know. Obs.
| 1606 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. iv. v. 46 There is expectance here from both the sides, What further you will doe? |
2. The action of mentally looking forward to the occurrence of anything, or to the coming of any one; anticipation; = expectation 2 and 3. Obs. or arch.
| 1640 Sir H. Slingsby Diary (1836) 64 Great expectance their is of a happy Parliament. a 1641 Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. (1642) 427 They..make him stay, and stand without in expectance a whole yeere. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. p. xc, Their expectance of being better used abroad. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) II. 330 Some particular person in whom that general expectance might centre. 1814 Cary Dante (Chandos) 173 The thirst did feel abatement of its edge E'en from expectance. |
b. In phrases against, beyond expectance, to answer expectance. ? Obs.
| 1631 R. H. Arraignm. Whole Creature x. §l. 74 They answere not expectance. 1659 Lady Alimony v. vi. in Hazl. Dodsley XIV. 365 Who..rais'd their ruin'd fortunes Above expectance! 1756 Burke Subl. & B. iv. xvii, When any thing happens against the expectance of the mind. |
† c. The state or condition of being expected. In phrase, in expectance. Obs.
| 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Expectative..Benefices conferez en expectative, in reversion, or expectance. 1640 Fuller Joseph's Coat iii. (1867) 127 In hope and expectance he hath the reversion of heaven and happiness. |
† d. A resource from which results are expected. Cf. hope. Obs.
| a 1668 Davenant Siege of Rhodes Wks. (1673) 33 Being to their last expectance driven, Ianthe, now they cry! |
† 3. Ground, reason, or warrant for expecting; prospect of attaining to something. Cf. expectancy 2 b, 4, expectation 4, 4 b. Obs.
| 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. Epit. (1612) 373 The expectance of the Crowne in Right..rested in this Edgar. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 1385 Being a man of small fortune, and little expectance in his owne countrey. 1650 R. Stapylton Strada's Low-C. Warres ix. 36 There could be no exspectance of a forrein expedition. 1701 N. Wilson in Keble Life Bp. Wilson (1863) I. 158 Wishing that they may live so as to have a just expectance of that blessed immortality. 1754 Richardson Grandison I. ii. 7 Having a good estate in possession; fine expectances besides. 1793 E. Parsons Woman as she should be I. 153 An aunt..from whom he has great expectances. |
† 4. That which is expected. Obs.
| 1684 Z. Cawdrey Cert. Salvation 30 Towards his servants he was so just, that he..gave them all their due Expectances, and, etc. |