Ex·pect v. t. [imp. & p. p. Expected; p. pr. & vb. n. Expecting.]
1. To wait for; to await. [Obs.]
Let's in, and there expect their coming. --Shak.
2. To look for (mentally); to look forward to, as to something that is believed to be about to happen or come; to have a previous apprehension of, whether of good or evil; to look for with some confidence; to anticipate; -- often followed by an infinitive, sometimes by a clause (with, or without, that); as, I expect to receive wages; I expect that the troops will be defeated. “Good: I will expect you.” --Shak. “Expecting thy reply.” --Shak.
The Somersetshire or yellow regiment . . . was expected to arrive on the following day. --Macaulay.
Syn: -- To anticipate; look for; await; hope.
Usage: To Expect, Think, Believe, Await. Expect is a mental act and has aways a reference to the future, to some coming event; as a person expects to die, or he expects to survive. Think and believe have reference to the past and present, as well as to the future; as I think the mail has arrived; I believe he came home yesterday, that he is he is at home now. There is a not uncommon use of expect, which is a confusion of the two; as, I expect the mail has arrived; I expect he is at home. This misuse should be avoided. Await is a physical or moral act. We await that which, when it comes, will affect us personally. We expect what may, or may not, interest us personally. See Anticipate.