expectation
UK[ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən]US[ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən]
n
A strong belief that something will happen or be the case.
n
A belief that someone will or should achieve something.
n
(usually expectations) One's prospects of inheritance.
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
pect
ation
ex
out
pect
look
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'expectation' originates from the Latin verb expectare or exspectare, meaning "to look out for, await, hope". This verb itself is a compound of the prefix ex- ("out") and spectare ("to look"), from the Proto-Indo-European root spek- ("to observe"). The literal sense was "to look out for" something. Over time, the meaning evolved from the physical act of watching and waiting to the mental state of anticipation and belief about a future event. The suffix -ation nominalized this action, solidifying the modern abstract meaning of a belief about what is to come.
Analysis
Structure: ex (out) + pect (look) + ation (noun suffix)
- ex: Latin origin, meaning "out of, from, thoroughly". A prefix indicating outward direction or removal.
- pect: A direct substring from the Latin root spectare (to look at), via the verb expectare. It functions as the core root meaning "to look".
- ation: Latin suffix -ationem, forming nouns of action or state from verbs. It indicates the result or process of the action.
Examples
The team fell short of the fans' high expectations.
She waited for the test results with nervous expectation.
The company's profits are in line with market expectations.