expectancy
[ik-
spek
-t
uh
n-see]
/ɪkˈspɛk tən si/
noun
,
plural
expectancies.
1.
the quality or state of
expecting
;
expectation
; anticipatory belief or desire.
2.
the state of being
expected
.
3.
an object of
expectation
; something
expected
.
Also,
expectance
.
Origin
1590-1600;
<
Medieval Latin
ex
(
s
)
pectantia.
See
expectant
,
-ancy
Can be confused
expectancy,
expectation
.
Examples from the web for
expectancy
Average life
expectancy
, today at an all-time high, could in our generation increase ten more years.
At the court this night there is an air of
expectancy
among the nobles.
The children followed the proceedings with intense
expectancy
.
Already, people predict that this new generation's life
expectancy
may be lower than the previous.
These adjustments will take increased life
expectancy
into account, since beneficiaries will need to be supported longer.
For patients whose melanoma isn't caught early, the life
expectancy
is less than a year.
Life
expectancy
is increasing around the globe, too.
The phase change material can run through these thermal cycles indefinitely, easily outlasting the life
expectancy
of the garment.
Shelf life
expectancy
is tens of years, far exceeding any other energy storage system currently known.
Similarly, his figures for life
expectancy
correspond to those in the original sources.
British Dictionary definitions for
expectancy
expectancy
/
ɪkˈspɛktənsɪ
/
noun
1.
something expected, esp on the basis of a norm or average:
his life expectancy was 30 years
2.
anticipation; expectation
3.
the prospect of a future interest or possession, esp in property:
an estate in expectancy
Word Origin and History for
expectancy
n.
1590s, from Latin
expectantia
(see
expectant
) +
-ancy
.