Main Entry:

spec·u·late

Pronunciation:

\ˈspe-kyə-ˌlāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

spec·u·lat·ed; spec·u·lat·ing

Etymology:

Latin speculatus, past participle of speculari to spy out, examine, from specula lookout post, from specere to look, look at — more at spy

Date:

1599

intransitive verb1 a: to meditate on or ponder a subject : reflect b: to review something idly or casually and often inconclusively2: to assume a business risk in hope of gain ; especially : to buy or sell in expectation of profiting from market fluctuationstransitive verb1: to take to be true on the basis of insufficient evidence : theorize 2: to be curious or doubtful about : wonder <speculates whether it will rain all vacation>

synonyms see think

— spec·u·la·tor \-ˌlā-tər\ noun