See Also: Speculate(money)
speculate(dictionary)
speculate(dictionary)

speculate (iou)



speculate verb. L16.
[Latin speculat- pa. ppl stem of speculari spy out, watch, from specula lookout, watch-tower, from specere see, look: see -ATE3.]
verb trans. Orig., reflect or theorize on, contemplate, (a theory, subject, etc.). Now usu., consider, conjecture, wonder, (that, how, what, etc.). L16.
Scientific American Some physicists have speculated that in nature all particles may be colorless.
verb trans. Look or gaze at (a thing); examine or inspect closely; spec. observe (the stars, heaven, etc.), esp. for the purpose of study. Now rare or obsolete. E17.
verb intrans. Engage in reflection or conjecture, form a theory, meditate, esp. without a firm factual basis. (Foll. by on, upon, about, etc.) L17.
R. Lindner I speculated on what could be wrong with my patient. M. Moorcock Nobody was able to speculate..as to the identity of the antagonists.
a. verb intrans. Invest in stocks, property, etc., in the hope of profit from a rise or fall in market value but with the possibility of a loss; enter into a risky enterprise in the hope of considerable gain; gamble. (Foll. by on, in.) L18.
R. Macaulay Their brother..made a fortune by speculating in..gold mine shares. P. G. Wodehouse If you don't speculate..you can't accumulate.
b. verb trans. Invest (funds) in a risky enterprise, gamble (money). E20.
P. Kavanagh A roulette-table on which I speculated three pennies without any return.