speculation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing, usually with little hard evidence

   There have been nonstop speculations about the outcome of the election.

2. 2
   noun

   an investment that is very risky but could yield great profits

   I knew the stock was a speculation when I bought it.

3. 3
   noun

   The faculty of sight.

   Thou hast no speculation in those eyes.

4. 4
   noun

   An act of looking at something; examination, observation.

   [T]he expression of exultation and content on their animated faces, is one of my most delicious speculations.

5. 5
   noun

   The process or act of thinking or meditating on a subject.

   Thenceforth to speculations high or deep I turned my thoughts.

6. 6
   noun

   A conclusion to which the mind comes by speculating; mere theory; notion; conjecture.

   [N]ear the Age of Socrates lived their Great and Renowned Confutius, who began the ſame Deſign, of reclaiming Men from the uſeless and endleſs Speculations of Nature, to thoſe of Morality.

7. 7
   noun

   The act or practice of buying land, goods, shares, etc., in expectation of selling at a higher price, or of selling with the expectation of repurchasing at a lower price; a trading on anticipated fluctuations in price, as distinguished from trading in which the profit expected is the difference between the retail and wholesale prices, or the difference of price in different markets.

   Sudden fortunes, indeed, are sometimes made in such places, by what is called the trade of speculation.

8. 8
   noun

   continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

Etymology

Etymology tree Middle English speculation English speculation From Middle English speculacioun, speculation, from Old French speculation (compare French spéculation), from Late Latin speculātiō, speculātiōnem, from Latin speculor. Morphologically speculate + -ion.