spec|u|la|tion

spec|u|la|tion
spec|u|la|tion «SPEHK yuh LAY shuhn», noun.
1. careful thought; reflection: »

Former speculations about electricity were often mere guesses. If the world were good for nothing else, it is a fine subject for speculation (William Hazlitt). Science carries us into zones of speculation where there is no habitable city for the mind of man (Robert Louis Stevenson).

2. the action or process of guessing; conjecture: »

His estimates of the cost were based on speculation.

3. a) the act or practice of buying or selling when there is a large risk, with the hope of making a profit from future price changes: »

His speculations in unsound stocks made him poor.

b) the act or fact of investing funds, or of devoting effort and time to a project with the hope of selling it at a profit after its completion.
4. the act or fact of taking part in any risky enterprise or transaction.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • spec·u·la·tion — /ˌspɛkjəˈleıʃən/ noun, pl tions 1 : ideas or guesses about something that is not known [noncount] He dismissed their theories as mere speculation. The book is just a lot of idle speculation about the future. There is speculation that he will run… …   Useful english dictionary

  • tion — ab·bre·vi·a·tion; ab·di·ca·tion; ab·duc·tion; ab·er·ra·tion; ab·er·ra·tion·al; ab·jec·tion; ab·junc·tion; ab·ju·ra·tion; ab·lac·ta·tion; ab·la·tion; ab·lu·tion; ab·mi·gra·tion; ab·ne·ga·tion; ab·o·li·tion; ab·o·li·tion·ary; ab·o·li·tion·dom;… …   English syllables

  • spec — cir·cum·spec·tion; cir·cum·spec·tive; con·spec·tus; ex·tro·spec·tion; ex·tro·spec·tive; in·spec·tion; in·spec·tion·al; in·spec·tive; in·spec·tor; in·spec·tor·ate; in·spec·to·ri·al; in·spec·tor·ship; in·spec·to·scope; in·spec·tress; in·spec·trix;… …   English syllables

  • spec|i|fi|ca|tion — «SPEHS uh fuh KAY shuhn», noun. 1. the act of specifying; definite mention; detailed statement of particulars: »She made careful specification as to the kinds of cake and candy needed for her party. 2. Often, specifications. a) a detailed… …   Useful english dictionary

  • spec|ta|tion — «spehk TAY shuhn», noun. spectatorship: »President Kennedy called upon Americans to spend less time in athletic spectation and more time in athletic participation (George McNickle). ╂[< Latin spectātiō, ōnis < spectāre; see etym. under… …   Useful english dictionary

  • spec·i·fi·ca·tion — /ˌspɛsəfəˈkeıʃən/ noun, pl tions [count] : a detailed description of work to be done or materials to be used in a project : an instruction that says exactly how to do or make something usually plural the architect s specifications for a new… …   Useful english dictionary

  • in´tro|spec´tion|ist — in|tro|spec|tion|ism «IHN truh SPEHK shuh nihz uhm», noun. the doctrine that introspection and the mental content of experience is the chief subject matter of psychological study. –in´tro|spec´tion|ist, adjective, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|tro|spec|tion|ism — «IHN truh SPEHK shuh nihz uhm», noun. the doctrine that introspection and the mental content of experience is the chief subject matter of psychological study. –in´tro|spec´tion|ist, adjective, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • cir|cum|spec|tion — «SUR kuhm SPEHK shuhn», noun. 1. circumspect action or conduct; care; caution; prudence. 2. watchful and cautious observation of circumstances or events …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|spec|tion|al — «ihn SPEHK shuh nuhl», adjective. of or having to do with inspection …   Useful english dictionary

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