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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Speculate \Spec"u*late\, v. t.
To consider attentively; as, to speculate the nature of a
thing. [R.] --Sir W. Hamilton.
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Speculate \Spec"u*late\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Speculated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Speculating}.] [L. speculatus, p. p. of
speculari to spy out, observe, fr. specula a lookout, fr.
specere to look. See {Spy}.]
1. To consider by turning a subject in the mind, and viewing
it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to
contemplate; to theorize; as, to speculate on questions in
religion; to speculate on political events.
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It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most
boldly often conform with the most pefect quietude
to the external regulations of society. --Hawthorne.
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2. (Philos.) To view subjects from certain premises given or
assumed, and infer conclusions respecting them a priori.
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3. (Com.) To purchase with the expectation of a contingent
advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; --
often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or
hazardous transactions; as, to speculate in coffee, in
sugar, or in bank stock.
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