spec|u|late

spec|u|late
spec|u|late «SPEHK yuh layt», verb, -lat|ed, -lat|ing.
–v.i.
1. to think carefully; reflect; meditate; consider: »

The philosopher speculated about time and space. She…speculated without reserve on the coming of many grandsons (Rudyard Kipling).

 SYNONYM(S): pore, ponder.
2. to guess; conjecture: »

She refused to speculate about the possible winner.

3. to buy or sell when there is a large risk, with the hope of making a profit from future price changes: »

He became poor after speculating in what turned out to be worthless oil wells.

4. to take part or invest in a risky business enterprise or transaction in the hope of making large profits: »

Would he be what he is if he hadn't speculated? (Dickens).

–v.t.
1. to invest (money) in a risky enterprise.
2. Obsolete. to consider; contemplate: »

If we do but speculate the folly…of avarice (Thomas Browne).

╂[< Latin speculārī (with English -ate1) < specula watchtower < specere to look]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • late — ab·late; ab·squat·u·late; ac·cep·ti·late; ac·e·tab·u·late; acet·y·late; ace·tyl·sa·lic·y·late; acic·u·late; acid·u·late; ac·ry·late; ac·u·le·o·late; ac·u·min·u·late; ad·stip·u·late; ad·u·late; al·ve·o·late; am·bu·late; am·pul·late;… …   English syllables

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  • speculate — spec·u·late …   English syllables

  • speculate — spec|u|late [ spekjə,leıt ] verb * 1. ) intransitive or transitive to consider or discuss why something has happened: speculate on/about: We can only speculate on the reasons for his sudden resignation. speculate that: Archaeologists speculate… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • speculate — spec•u•late [[t]ˈspɛk yəˌleɪt[/t]] v. lat•ed, lat•ing 1) to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often fol. by on or upon) 2) to indulge in conjectural thought 3) bus to buy or sell commodities, property, stocks, etc., esp. at risk of a… …   From formal English to slang

  • speculate — spec|u|late [ˈspekjuleıt] v [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: , past participle of speculari to watch (secretly) , from specere to look (at) ] 1.) [I and T] to guess about the possible causes or effects of something, without knowing all the… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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