speculate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To think, meditate or reflect on a subject; to consider, to deliberate or cogitate.

   It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most perfect quietude to the external regulations of society.

2. 2
   verb

   To make an inference based on inconclusive evidence; to surmise or conjecture.

   We can speculate that in many instances the sharks are not feeding on their victims, but only in a few cases can we guess what they are doing.

3. 3
   verb

   To make a risky trade in the hope of making a profit; to venture or gamble.

   Some preliminary legal arrangements were made, but the scheme proceeded no further, as the various local authorities concerned were unwilling to speculate public funds on what was, even at that date, a will o' the wisp.

4. 4
   verb

   reflect deeply on a subject

5. 5
   verb

   to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

6. 6
   verb

   talk over conjecturally, or review in an idle or casual way and with an element of doubt or without sufficient reason to reach a conclusion

7. 7
   verb

   invest at a risk

8. 8
   verb

   To anticipate which branch of code will be chosen and execute it in advance.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin speculātus, perfect active participle of speculor (“to watch, observe, examine, spy”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from specula (“a watchtower”), ultimately from speciō (“to look at”).