Expectation of life

Expectation \Ex`pec*ta"tion\n. [L. expectio. exspectio: cf. F.
   expectation.]
   1. The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an
      event as about to happen. "In expectation of a guest."
      --Tennyson.
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            My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation
            is from him.                          --Ps. lxii. 5.
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   2. That which is expected or looked for.
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            Why our great expectation should be called
            The seed of woman.                    --Milton.
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   3. The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something
      excellent is expected to happen; prospect of anything good
      to come, esp. of property or rank.
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            His magnificent expectations made him, in the
            opinion of the world, the best match in Europe.
                                                  --Prescott.
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            By all men's eyes a youth of expectation. --Otway.
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   4. The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or
      property) which depends upon some contingent event.
      Expectations are computed for or against the occurrence of
      the event.
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   5. (Med.) The leaving of the disease principally to the
      efforts of nature to effect a cure.
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   {Expectation of life}, the mean or average duration of the
      life individuals after any specified age.

   Syn: Anticipation; confidence; trust.
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