v. spec·u·lat·ed, spec·u·lat·ing, spec·u·lates v.intr. 1. To engage in a course of reasoning often based on inconclusive evidence; conjecture or theorize. 2. To engage in the buying or selling of a commodity with an element of risk on the chance of profit. v.tr. To assume to be true without conclusive evidence: speculated that high cholesterol was a contributing factor to the patient's health problems. [Latin speculārī, speculāt-, to observe, from specula, watchtower, from specere, to look at; see spek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.