[f. L. expectantia, n. of state f. expectant-em: see EXPECTANT.]
1. The action or state of waiting for anything. In later use only with mixture of sense 2 in phrase After long expectance. Somewhat arch.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1610), 1092–3. At length after long expectance,… they were … brought forth into the field.
1628. Digby, Voy. Medit. (1868), 4. In expectance of the others companie.
1682. Wheler, Journ. Greece, I. 20. After a long and fruitless expectance of Succours.
a. 1718. Parnell, Gift of Poetry (1758), 149. Long expectance of a bliss delay’d Breeds anxious doubt.
1724. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., iv. The addresses of both houses after long expectance produced nothing but a report in favour of Wood.
1818. R. Southey, in Q. Rev., XVIII. 8. The slow season of expectance past, True Love … [might] Requite the sorrows of this hard delay.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea, II. 249. Now at length, and after long expectance, they indeed would go into action.
† b. With indirect question: The state of waiting to know. Obs.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., IV. v. 46. There is expectance here from both the sides, What further you will doe?
2. The action of mentally looking forward to the occurrence of anything, or to the coming of any one; anticipation; = EXPECTATION 2 and 3. Obs. or arch.
1640. Slingsby, Diary (1836), 64. Great expectance their is of a happy Parliament.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 427. They … make him stay, and stand without in expectance a whole yeere.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., p. xc. Their expectance of being better used abroad.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 330. Some particular person in whom that general expectance might centre.
1814. Cary, Dante (Chandos), 173. The thirst did feel abatement of its edge E’en from expectance.
b. In phrases Against, beyond expectance, to answer expectance. ? Obs.
1631. R. H., Arraignm. Whole Creature, x. § 1. 74. They answere not expectance.
1659. Lady Alimony, V. vi. in Hazl., Dodsley, XIV. 365. Who … rais’d their ruin’d fortunes Above expectance!
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., IV. xvii. When any thing happens against the expectance of the mind.
† c. The state or condition of being expected. In phrase, In expectance. Obs.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Expectative … Benefices conferez en expectative, in reversion, or expectance.
1640. Fuller, Joseph’s Coat, iii. (1867), 127. In hope and expectance he hath the reversion of heaven and happiness.
† d. A resource from which results are expected. Cf. hope. Obs.
a. 1668. Davenant, Siege of Rhodes, Wks. (1673), 33. Being to their last expectance driven, Ianthe, now they cry!
† 3. Ground, reason or warrant for expecting; prospect of attaining to something. Cf. EXPECTANCY 2 b, 4, EXPECTATION 4, 4 b. Obs.
1602. Warner, Alb. Eng., Epit. (1612), 373. The expectance of the Crowne in Right … rested in this Edgar.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1621), 1385. Being a man of small fortune, and little expectance in his owne countrey.
1650. R. Stapylton, Strada’s Low-C. Warres, IX. 36. There could be no exspectance of a forrein expedition.
1701. N. Wilson, in Keble, Life Bp. Wilson (1863), I. 158. Wishing that they may live so as to have a just expectance of that blessed immortality.
1753. Richardson, Grandison, I. ii. 7. Having a good estate in possession; fine expectances besides.
1793. Mrs. E. Parsons, Woman as she should be, I. 153. An aunt … from whom he has great expectances.
† 4. That which is expected. Obs.
1684. Z. Cawdrey, Cert. Salvation, 30. Towards his servants he was so just, that he … gave them all their due Expectances, and [etc.].
