expectancy
Translation
anticipation, life expectancy
Examples
There was an air of expectancy in the crowd.
There was an air of expectancy in the crowd.
The average life expectancy for men is now 80.
The average life expectancy for men is now 80.
Grammar Patterns
((of sth.)) a feeling of excitement about (sth.) that is going to happen There was an air of expectancy in the crowd.
((life)) expectancy the number of years a person is likely to live The average life expectancy is increasing.
Similar Words
Synonyms: anticipation, hope. Differs from 'expectation', which is a more specific belief that something will happen.
Etymology
From Latin 'expectare' (to await), from ex- 'out' + spectare 'to look at'. The suffix -ancy forms a noun indicating a state or quality.
Memory Tips
Think of 'life expectancy' – the expected length of life. It often refers to a general feeling or a statistical measure.