Nearby Words

speculation

[spek-yuh-ley-shuhn] Origin

spec·u·la·tion

[spek-yuh-ley-shuhn]
noun
1.
the contemplation or consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.
2.
a single instance or process of consideration.
3.
a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation: These speculations are impossible to verify.
4.
conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise: a report based on speculation rather than facts.
5.
engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, especially trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.
EXPAND
6.
a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.
COLLAPSE

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English speculacioun < Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion

an·ti·spec·u·la·tion, noun, adjective
non·spec·u·la·tion, noun
o·ver·spec·u·la·tion, noun
pre·spec·u·la·tion, noun
sem·i·spec·u·la·tion, noun


3. supposition, view, theory, hypothesis.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Speculation is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Collins
World English Dictionary
speculation (ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃən)
 
n
1.  the act or an instance of speculating
2.  a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating
3.  investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

speculation
late 14c., "contemplation, consideration," from O.Fr. speculation, from L.L. speculationem (nom. speculatio) "contemplation, observation," from L. speculatus, pp. of speculari "observe," from specere "to look at, view" (see scope (1)). Disparaging sense of "mere conjecture"
EXPAND
is recorded from 1570s. Meaning "buying and selling in search of profit from rise and fall of market value" is recorded from 1774; short form spec is attested from 1794.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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