1. relating to or characterized by expectation; involving waiting for something to happen or be received
Usage: formal or legal contexts; less common in everyday speech

1. a person who expects or hopes to receive something, especially an office or benefice; a candidate or heir
Usage: archaic or formal; historical ecclesiastical usage

Examples

• The expectative mood in the room grew as the announcement approached.
• She maintained an expectative posture, waiting for news of the promotion.
• In medieval times, an expectative was someone granted a promise of a church position.
• The expectative clause in the contract outlined what would happen if conditions were met.
• He was one of several expectatives hoping to inherit the estate.