51Թ

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View synonyms for

speculate

[spek-yuh-leyt]

verb (used without object)

speculated, speculating 
  1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause).

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. to indulge in conjectural thought.

    Synonyms: , , , ,
  3. to engage in any business transaction involving considerable risk or the chance of large gains, especially to buy and sell commodities, stocks, etc., in the expectation of a quick or very large profit.



speculate

/ ˈɛʊˌɪ /

verb

  1. (when tr, takes a clause as object) to conjecture without knowing the complete facts

  2. (intr) to buy or sell securities, property, etc, in the hope of deriving capital gains

  3. (intr) to risk loss for the possibility of considerable gain

  4. (intr) rugby to make an emergency forward kick of the ball without taking any particular aim

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • overspeculate verb (used without object)
  • prespeculate verb (used without object)
  • unspeculating adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of speculate1

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin 𳦳ܱٳܲ “watched over,” past participle of 𳦳ܱī “to watch over, explore, reconnoiter,” verb derivative of specula “watchtower,” noun derivative of specere “to look, regard, see”
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of speculate1

C16: from Latin 𳦳ܱī to spy out, from specula a watchtower, from specere to look at
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“There is no room left to speculate about some way that the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not know about the corrupt conduct of these cooperating persons.”

From

Giving students loans at zero interest might encourage colleges and universities to raise their prices, it speculated.

From

One cause that has been speculated on by some experts is the possibility of an extremely rare double engine failure.

From

“All that good feeling was his way of experiencing something he didn’t have,” Landy speculated.

From

Even though observers have long speculated that Donald Trump and Elon Musk would eventually fall out, few predicted the speed and ferocity with which their social media feud erupted.

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