transitive verb anticipated, anticipating
- to look forward to; expect: to anticipate a pleasant vacation
- to make happen earlier; precipitate
- to prevent by action in advance; forestall: to anticipate an opponent's blows
- to foresee (a command, wish, etc.) and perform in advance: to anticipate a request
- to use or enjoy in advance: to anticipate a legacy
- to be ahead of in doing or achieving: did the Vikings anticipate Columbus in discovering America?
- to pay (a debt) before due
Origin:
< L anticipatus, pp. of anticipare < ante-, before + *capare < capere, to take: see have
intransitive verb
to speak of or consider a matter prematurely