Expectative

pos>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. [ 1913 Webster ]

My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from him. Ps. lxii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is expected or looked for. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why our great expectation should be called
The seed of woman. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

His magnificent expectations made him, in the opinion of the world, the best match in Europe. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

By all men's eyes a youth of expectation. Otway. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Med.) The leaving of the disease principally to the efforts of nature to effect a cure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Expectation of life, the mean or average duration of the life individuals after any specified age.

Syn. -- Anticipation; confidence; trust. [ 1913 Webster ]