expectant
UK: ɪkˈspek.tənt | US: ɪkˈspek.tənt
adj. feeling or thinking that something will happen, especially something good
adj. (medical) pregnant
n. a person who expects something, especially a parent awaiting a child
expectant = ex<out> + pect<look> + ant<adjective suffix>
- ex (Latin: "out") → implies outward focus or anticipation.
- pect (from Latin spectare, "to look") → retained in words like "spectacle" or "inspect."
- ant (Latin-derived suffix) → forms adjectives indicating a state or quality (e.g., "dominant").
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin expectare ("to look out for"), combining ex- (intensifying "outward") and spectare ("to look"). The word evolved through Old French expecter into English, shifting from literal "watching" to figurative "anticipation." The suffix -ant solidified its adjectival role, often describing a hopeful or waiting state (e.g., "pregnant" as "expecting a child").
The expectant crowd cheered as the performer took the stage.
She wore an expectant smile, waiting for her exam results.
The hospital wing was reserved for expectant mothers.
His expectant silence hinted he knew more than he admitted.
Investors remained expectant about the company’s breakthrough.