释义 |
spec·u·late \ˈspekyəˌlāt sometimes ÷ -kə-; usu -ād.+V\ verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Latin speculatus, past participle of speculari to spy out, observe, examine, from specula watchtower, from specere to look, catch sight of — more at spy transitive verb archaic : to mull over in the mind : consider attentively or as an object of study : reflect upon intransitive verb 1. a. : to ponder a subject in its different aspects, relations, and implications : indulge in contemplation : evolve ideas or theories by mental reexamination of a subject or matter and usually without experimentation or introduction of new data b. : to reason a priori c. : to review something mentally or orally in an idle or casual manner and usually with an element of doubt or without sufficient evidence to reach a sound or meaningful conclusion < speculating about the chances of rain > < we may speculate about strangers > 2. : to enter into a business transaction or other venture from which the profits, return of invested capital, or other good are conjectural because of the risks involved and knowingly assumed: as a. : to purchase or sell with the expectation of profiting by anticipated but conjectural fluctuations in price b. : to engage in hazardous business transactions for the chance of an unusually large profit; especially : to gamble on a stock or commodity market < speculate in coffee > Synonyms: see think |