anticipation
noun
an·tic·i·pa·tion
| \ (ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən
\
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Definition of anticipation
1a
: a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
hired more security guards in anticipation of a large crowd
b
: the act of looking forward
especially
: pleasurable expectation
looked forward with anticipation to their arrival
2
: the use of money before it is available
3a
: visualization of a future event or state
b
: an object or form that anticipates a later type
4
: the early sounding of one or more tones of a succeeding chord to form a temporary dissonance — compare suspension