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 verb 1 a : to meditate on or ponder a subject : reflect b : to review something idly or casually and often inconclusively
2 : to assume a business risk in hope of gain; especially : to buy or sell in expectation of profiting from market fluctuationstransitive verb 1 : 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