anticipate

verb

1. (transitive)To act before (someone), especially to prevent an action.

   “c. 1824 (written, published in 1891) Robert Hall, Fragment on Popery When two parties, each formidable for their numbers, and the weight of their influence and property, are animated by an equal degree of zeal, it is natural to anticipate the final success of that which possesses the most inherent strength.”

   “He would probably have died by the hand of the executioner, if indeed the executioner had not been anticipated by the populace.”

2. (transitive)To take up or introduce (something) prematurely.

   “The advocate plans to anticipate a part of her argument.”

3. (transitive)To know of (something) before it happens; to expect.

   “to anticipate the pleasures of a visit”

   “to anticipate the evils of life”

   “Please anticipate a journey of an hour from your house to the airport.”

   “The task was more to Appleby's liking than the one he had anticipated, and it was necessary, since the smaller merchants in Cuba and also in parts of Peninsular Spain have no great confidence in bankers, and prefer a packet of golden onzas or a bag of pesetas to the best accredited cheque.”

   “But surely they did not anticipate the ease with which their team raced into an almost impregnable half-time lead.”

4. (transitive)To eagerly wait for (something)

   “Little Johnny started to anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus a week before Christmas.”