Speculation
[,spekjʊ'leɪʃn] or [,spɛkju'leʃən]
Definition
(noun.) a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence); 'speculations about the outcome of the election'; 'he dismissed it as mere conjecture'.
(noun.) an investment that is very risky but could yield great profits; 'he knew the stock was a speculation when he bought it'.
Inputed by Eunice--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of speculating.
(n.) Examination by the eye; view.
(n.) Mental view of anything in its various aspects and relations; contemplation; intellectual examination.
(n.) The act or process of reasoning a priori from premises given or assumed.
(n.) 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.
(n.) Any business venture in involving unusual risks, with a chance for large profits.
(n.) A conclusion to which the mind comes by speculating; mere theory; view; notion; conjecture.
(n.) Power of sight.
(n.) A game at cards in which the players buy from one another trumps or whole hands, upon a chance of getting the highest trump dealt, which entitles the holder to the pool of stakes.
Checker: Rudolph
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Contemplation.[2]. Theory, scheme, hypothesis, supposition, conjecture, view, a priori reasoning.
Edited by Lester
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Contemplation, consideration, weighing, thought, theory, scheme, hypothesis,view, conjecture
ANT:Realization, proof, fact, verification, certainty
Checker: Thelma
Examples
- But here there was nothing to be shifted off in a wild speculation on the future. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Much of their theory must seem to the modern mind merely fanciful and unsupported speculation. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Darwin's father was remarkable for his powers of observation, while the grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, is well known for his tendency to speculation . Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- His chief interest lay in speculation. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- But the thinker, the man who devotes himself to scientific inquiry and philosophic speculation, works, so to speak, in reason, not simply by *. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- My pen is running away into mere speculation. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Speculation is futile, said Professor Porter sadly. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- From the one we gather unquiet speculation, from the other satiety. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Sir Thomas, after a moment's thought, recommended speculation. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- How much more must an imaginist, like herself, be on fire with speculation and foresight! Jane Austen. Emma.
- During the last year or two, things have gone against him--secret speculation, I think--and he finds himself in a bad way. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- The subsequent encounter of the two lovers and their reconciliation is a matter for ironical speculation on the part of Plutarch. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The triumphs of Greek abstract thought teach the lesson that p ractical men should pay homage to speculation even when they fail to comprehend a fraction of it. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- If it had been a speculation, sir, it would have brought money. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- America does not play with ideas; generous speculation is regarded as insincere, and shunned as if it might endanger the optimism which underlies success. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Nor is he less in advance of popular opinion in his political and moral speculations. Plato. The Republic.
- What may be the amount of the treasure in the bank, is a question which has long employed the speculations of the curious. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- She was roused from these speculations by a familiar touch on her arm, and turning saw Gus Trenor beside her. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Cotton, and speculations, and smoke, well-cleansed and well-cared-for machinery, and unwashed and neglected hands. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- But these are speculations beyond our present scope. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He never loses sight of common sense in any of his speculations. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- All his speculations had of late gone wrong with the luckless old gentleman. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- That the thoughts were self-matured, that she had any recollections or speculations about her parents, he could not fancy. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Passing from speculations to facts, we observe that progress has been the exception rather than the law of human history. Plato. The Republic.
- And posterity have also sometimes equally misapprehended the real value of his speculations. Plato. The Republic.
- Have you heard the rumours about Beaufort's speculations, Sillerton? Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Towards the close of the Republic, Plato seems to be more and more convinced of the ideal character of his own speculations. Plato. The Republic.
- You see, said old Osborne to George, what comes of merit, and industry, and judicious speculations, and that. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- But let me go on thinking the facts out, and avoid confusing them with my speculations. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- An open letter is the subject of the trooper's speculations, and it seems to perplex him mightily. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Inputed by Giles