anticipated

Anticipated is the past participle of anticipate and also an adjective in English. As a verb, anticipate means to regard something as likely to happen or to act in advance to prepare for it. As an adjective, anticipated describes events, outcomes, or actions that are expected or looked forward to, often in contexts of planning, forecasting, or expectation.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin anticipatus, the past participle of anticipare, formed from ante- “before” and capere “to take.” It entered English through Old French anticiper and has been in use in various senses since the Middle English period.

Usage and nuance: Anticipated is commonly used to indicate expectation with some planning or foresight. It can describe both positive projections and projected constraints. For example, “the anticipated benefits of the policy” refers to benefits expected in the future, while “the anticipated delays” signals a forecast of postponements. The phrase “in anticipation of” signals preparation for a forthcoming event or condition. The term often appears in business, research, journalism, and event planning to convey that something is likely or hoped for, but not yet realized.

Examples: The anticipated release date was announced last week. Investors reacted to the anticipated earnings report. The team adjusted schedules based on anticipated shortages of materials. The project aims to realize anticipated savings over the next fiscal year.