speculation
(spɛkjʊˈleɪʃən)
Also 4 speculacioun, 5–6 -cion, 6 -cyon, -tyon, -tione.
[ad. late L. speculātiōn-em, noun of action f. speculārī to speculate. Cf. OF. speculation (14th c.), F. spéculation, It. specul-, specolazione, Sp. especulacion, Pg. especula{cced}ão.
In English, as in later L. and the Romance languages, the literal senses have been less usual than the transferred, and the earliest examples occur in the latter group.]
I. 1. The faculty or power of seeing; sight, vision, esp. intelligent or comprehending vision. Now arch.
| 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. in Ashm. (1652) 121 O Hygh Yncomprehensyble and gloryous Mageste, Whose Luminos Bemes obtundyth our Speculation. 1474 Cov. Leet Bk. 393 O splendent Creator! In all oure speculacion, More bryghter then Phebus! 1603 Breton Packet Mad Lett. i. xx. Wks. (Grosart) II. 11 Beleeue not your eyes, till they haue a better speculation. 1605 Shakes. Macb. iii. iv. 95 Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with. 1648 J. Beaumont Psyche xxi. lxviii, Her Speculation fix'd its Eye Upon the royal Goodness of her Lord. 1821 Shelley Ginevra 149 Open eyes, whose fixed and glassy light Mocked at the speculation they had owned. 1829 Scott Anne of G. xxxiv, His horny eye had lost the power of speculation. 1861 Ld. Lytton & Fane Tannhäuser 84 Her eyes Wide open, fix'd into a ghastly stare That knew no speculation. |
† 2. The exercise of the faculty of sight; the action, or an act, of seeing, viewing, or looking on or at; examination or observation.
Obs.| 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. vii. (Percy Soc.) 27 Her goodly chambre was set all about With depured myrrours of speculacion. 1530 Palsgr. 274/1 Speculation, beholding, speculation. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iv. ii. 31 Though we vpon this Mountaines Basis by, Tooke stand for idle speculation. 1648 Boyle Seraph. Love (1660) 13 Whilst they liv'd Exiles here on Earth, 'twas such a speculation..‘as seeing Him who is invisible’. 1693 Phil. Trans. XVII. 691 The square Tower in the middle fitted with Holes for Speculation. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 3 ¶1 In one of my late Rambles, or rather Speculations, I looked into the great Hall where the Bank is kept. 1774 Johnson in Boswell 1 Oct., Wales is so little different from England, that it offers nothing to the speculation of the traveller. |
† b. Observation of the heavens, stars, etc.
Obs. In some
quots. with suggestion of sense 4.
| 1538 Elyot, Astrologia, the speculation and reasonyng concernyng the celestial or heuenly motions. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 597 But now to goe on still with our Astrologie and Speculation of Heaven as wee have begun. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 59 He [Tycho Brahe] had a little round house of great beauty, in which he did exercise his speculation. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 7 What difference betwixt a divine contemplation and a diviners speculation of the heavens! |
† c. top, or turret, of speculation, one from which a wide or extensive view is obtained.
Obs. After L.
turris speculationis (Gregory
Moral. xxxi. §85).
| 1653 Codrington Marrow Hist. Ep. Ded., Here, as from a Turret of Speculation, you may look down upon the Vulgar. 1667 Milton P.L. xii. 589 Let us descend now therefore from this top Of Speculation. |
† 3. a. A spectacle or sight; a spectacular entertainment or show.
Obs. rare.
| c 1440 Gesta Rom. i. xxvi. 100 (Harl. MS.), As ofte as a man goþe to the Iolytees of worldlye speculacions, & hathe delectacion in hem. c 1520 Mystery Resurr. in Rel. Antiq. II. 151 It pleasid thi Godhed to tak but three To beholde and see the highe speculatioun, Of thy Godly majestye in thy transfyguratioun. |
† b. An observer or watcher; a spy.
Obs.—1| 1605 Shakes. Lear iii. i. 24 Seruants,..Which are to France the Spies and Speculations Intelligent of our State. |
II. 4. The contemplation, consideration, or profound study
of some subject.
Freq. in the 17th
cent.; now
rare or
Obs.| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. pr. ii. (1868) 153 Þe soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem in þe speculacioun or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt. 1549 Compl. Scotl. vi. 62 Ane rustic pastour..distitut of vrbanite, and of speculatione of natural philosophe. c 1590 Marlowe Faustus iii. 114 Ile liue in speculation of this Art, Till Mephastophilis returne againe. 1604 Wright Passions i. xi. 45 The motions of our Passions are hidde from our eyes... Yet for the Speculation of this matter, I thinke [etc.]. 1693 Congreve Old Bach. iv. vi, Sure it is a good book, and only tends to the speculation of sin. 1788 T. Taylor Proclus I. Pref., The great object of ancient philosophy, was an accurate speculation of principles and causes. |
b. Without
const., or with
in,
into,
concerning.
| 1550 Bale Eng. Votaries ii. E iij, Other instructors he had..whych..were most conning in that speculacyon. 1563 Shute Groundes Architecture B ij b, Optica, is properly called perspectiue, and is of a furder speculacion, then therin can or nedeth to be exprest. 1636 Heywood Challenge Beautie ii. i, Bona. That you may know it is not lust, but love, And the true speculation I have tane, In both these adjuncts, that proclaime you rare. 1669 Clarendon Ess. Tracts (1727) 96 The end of this speculation into ourselves and conversation with ourselves. 1674 Playford's Skill Mus. iii. 3 This kind of Counterpoint..may appear simple,..yet the right speculation may give much satisfaction even to the most skilful. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iv. 416 Furthermore Aristotle declares, that this Speculation concerning the Deity, does constitute a Particular Science by it self. 1715 (title), The Prophecies of Michael Nostradamus... Made English for the Speculation of the Publick. |
c. The conjectural anticipation
of something.
| 1795 Burke Th. Scarcity Wks. 1842 II. 253 Continually in a state of something like a siege, or in the speculation of it. |
5. An act of speculating, or the result of this; a conclusion, opinion, view, or series of these, reached by abstract or hypothetical reasoning.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) V. 27 Ptholomeus, a man nobly erudite in speculacions mathematicalle. 1575 T. Vautrollier Luther on Ep. Gal. 16 There is nothing more daungerous then to wander with curious speculations in heauen. 1588 Lambarde Eiren. iii. i. 328 These speculations of M. Marrowes reading, are like inough to fall in practise. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 512 Such are his speculations of these hidden fires, that he maketh them the causers of Windes [etc.]. 1673 Temple Let. Duke Florence Wks. 1720 II. 286 To make the Speculations of Strangers Abroad, part of your own Diversion at Home. 1708 Swift Sentim. Ch. Eng. Man Wks. 1755 II. i. 77 It is not a bare speculation that kings may run into such enormities as are above-mentioned. 1769 Burke Let. Marq. Rockingham Corr. 1844 I. 219 Not that I rely much on this speculation of my own. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §344 In consequence of these speculations, I ordered a well to be sunk near the middle of the peninsula. 1816 Mackintosh Bacon & Locke Wks. 1846 I. 332 The source of many mistaken speculations on the important subjects of government and education. 1881 Nature No. 618. 414 Speculations respecting their ultimate form or structure will have found a place in the science as soon as such speculations have helped to arrange the facts which are known. |
† b. An aim, purpose, or intention.
Obs.| 1616 B. Jonson Devil an Ass ii. v, They may..spend an houre; Two, three, or foure, discoursing with their shaddow: But sure they haue a farther speculation. |
c. A conjectural consideration or meditation; an attempt to ascertain or anticipate something by probable reasoning.
| 1796 Horsley Serm. (1811) 189 The populace that were witnesses of the miracle ‘wondered’: they wondered, and there was an end of their speculations upon the business. 1833 H. Martineau Brooke Farm xii. 135 Our annual speculations about how so much good cheer was to be consumed. 1841 Dickens Barn. Rudge i, The subject of their speculations had done due honour to the house by calling for some drink. |
6. Without article: Contemplation of a profound, far-reaching, or subtle character; abstract or hypothetical reasoning on subjects of a deep, abstruse, or conjectural nature.
| a 1450 tr. De Imitatione iii. lx. 141 Neiþer þe ȝifte of prophecie, ner worching of myracles, ner speculacion, be it neuere so hye, is of eny estimacion wiþouten hir [i.e. grace]. c 1532 G. Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 1062 Abstynence of Danyell, speculation of Hely, experience of saynt Paule. 1565 Hardyng Confut. i. 34 The scriptures haue nede of speculation (that is to witte, to be well studied and considered) to the ende the force and power of euery argument may be knowen. 1596 Spenser Hymn Heavenly Beauty 134 Thence gathering plumes of perfect speculation, To impe the wings of thy high flying mynd. 1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Civill Life 252 Euen as sapience or wisedom is the guide and gouernesse of speculation. 1708 Swift Sentim. Ch. Eng. Man Wks. 1755 II. i. 72 Because slavery is of all things the greatest clog and obstacle to speculation. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man ii. i. §4. 17 Men of great Speculation and Refinement may desire to have this analogical Reasoning supported. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. i. i. (1869) I. 11 Philosophers or men of speculation, whose trade is not to do anything, but to observe everything. 1828 Lytton Pelham xxxiii, If I have any fault, it is too great a love for abstruse speculation and reflection. 1857 Buckle Civiliz. i. 5 Habits of speculation..are the essential condition of all real knowledge. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 25 The same desire to base speculation upon history..we find in the Critias. |
b. As opposed to
practice,
fact,
action, etc.
| 1530 Lyndesay Test. Papyngo 30 Boith in practick and speculatioun. 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. iii. 153 Now..make a lesson as I haue done, and ioine practise with your speculation. 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. ii. iii, Your courtier theorique, is hee, that..doth now know the court, rather by speculation, then practice. a 1676 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. (1677) 25 Usefulness in reference to Speculation or Knowledge, and Usefulness in relation to Practice or Exercise. 1777 J. Adams Wks. (1854) IX. 470 This is fact, and facts are stubborn things in opposition to speculation. 1800 Ann. Reg. 28/1 His talents were much more fitted for action than speculation. |
c. In more or less disparaging use, usually with
adjs., as
bare,
mere,
pure, etc.; also simply
= conjecture, surmise.
| (a) 1575 T. Vautrollier Luther on Ep. Gal. 35 And that which he thinketh him selfe to know, he attaineth only by bare speculation. 1612 Brinsley Lud. Lit. Comm. Pref., Neither are these directions of meere speculation, whose promises are commonly as large, as the performance defectiue. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 196 For that of Abulfæda..is no new discovery;..I know he has it onely by speculation. 1696 Stanhope Chr. Pattern (1711) 87 The reason why these things are seen with so useless speculation, is because our minds are not rightly disposed. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 450 ¶1 [Partaking] more of the Invention of the Brain, or what is styled Speculation, than of sound Judgment or profitable Observation. 1780 Mirror No. 107, In every art and science, practitioners complain how often they are deceived by specious theories and delusive speculation. 1812 Woodhouse Astron. xiii. 135 The enquiry into the form, since the theory is complete without it, is one of pure curiosity and speculation. 1861 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const. i. (1862) 13 The mere romantic speculation of political dreamers. |
| (b) 1791 Ld. Auckland Corr. (1861) II. 396 There is some speculation here that he may look towards the fourth princess. |
d. In
matter, object, subject, etc., of speculation. Also
ellipt. for this.
| (a) 1665 Glanvill Def. Van. Dogm. 75 The little delight I have in matters that are not of very material speculation. 1736 Butler Anal. Introd. (1798) 3 This determines the question, even in matters of speculation. 1769 Junius Lett. xii. (1788) 75 Let me..consider your character and conduct merely as a subject of curious speculation. 1788 Priestley Lect. Hist. v. xlix. 369 The progress of society, is one of the most..useful objects of speculation. 1810 W. Wilson Hist. Dissent. Ch. iii. 63 Points of speculation, or party, he studiously avoided. 1832 Brewster Nat. Magic xiii. 340 They afford ground of curious speculation. 1847 Helps Friends in C. i. i. 4 It was a matter of frequent speculation with us, whether [etc.]. |
| (b) 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §111 The various Strata..would furnish speculation to the curious naturalist. |
e. in speculation, in conjecture or theory; not actually or practically; also, under consideration, in contemplation or view.
| (a) 1638 Mede Wks. (1672) 154 This Faith is not barely Historical and in speculation, but a Faith in motion. 1645 Ussher Body Div. (1647) 37 Is God every where in speculation only? 1718 Free-thinker No. 90. 246 It avails nothing, that a projected Change is, in Speculation, for the Better. 1777 Hamilton Wks. (1886) VII. 483 As to their notion.., I apprehend it will do better in speculation than in practice. 1793 Horsley Serm. Westm. 29 Whatever preference therefore, in speculation, he might give to the Republican form, he could not, with these principles, be practically an enemy to the Government of Kings. |
| (b) 1811 Sir Wm. Scott Dodson's Rep. I. 32 Operations against Buenos Ayres were entirely in speculation, and not finally decided upon. |
† 7. A plan or scheme for some enterprise or undertaking.
Obs.—1| a 1700 Evelyn Diary 7 Sept. 1667, Came Sir John Kiviet to article with me about his brick-work speculation. |
8. The action or practice of buying and selling goods, land, stocks and shares, etc., in order to profit by the rise or fall in the market value, as distinct from regular trading or investment; engagement in any business enterprise or transaction of a venturesome or risky nature, but offering the chance of great or unusual gain. Also
Comb.| 1774 H. Walpole Let. to Mann 1 May, Next to gaming,..the predominant folly is pictures... Sir George Colbroke, a citizen, and martyr to what is called speculation, had his pictures sold by auction last week. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. i. x. i. (1904) I. 127 Sudden fortunes, indeed, are sometimes made in such places, by what is called the trade of speculation. a 1817 T. Dwight Trav. New Eng., etc. (1821) I. 218 The first cause..of this evil was, if I mistake not, what has been proverbially called in this country Speculation. 1834 Tait's Mag. I. 408/1 The evils produced by that species of gambling named speculation. 1897 Daily News 10 Apr. 5 The speculation-laden air of Johannesburg. |
b. on speculation, on chance; on the chance of gain or profit.
Cf. spec n.1 1 b.
| 1811 L. M. Hawkins Countess & Gertrude (1812) II. 162 A distant relation who had married, at fifteen, in the East Indies, sent out on speculation. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxvi, Won't Mr. Dodson and Fogg be wild if the plaintiff shouldn't get it,..when they do it all on speculation? |
9. An act or instance of speculating; a commercial venture or undertaking of an enterprising nature,
esp. one involving considerable financial risk on the chance of unusual profit.
Cf. spec n.1 1.
| 1776 Adam Smith W.N. i. x. i. (1904) I. 127 A bold adventurer may sometimes acquire a considerable fortune by two or three successful speculations. 1787 M. Cutler in Life, etc. (1888) I. 305 We obtained..the remainder for a private speculation. 1825 Cobbett Rur. Rides 327 The talk about ‘speculations’, that is to say adventurous dealings, or rather commercial gamblings,..is the most miserable nonsense. 1841 W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. III. 393 The government was to undertake a certain part of the speculation, while the remainder of the capital might be given off in shares. 1880 Austr. Town & Country Jrnl. 14 Feb. 314/4 A young fellow who had a speculation in pigs on hand. |
| fig. 1876 J. Parker Paracl. ii. Epil. 387 Life itself is a high and solemn speculation. |
10. Cards. A round game of cards, the chief feature of which is the buying and selling of trump cards, the player who possesses the highest trump in a round winning the pool.
| 1804 Jane Austen Watsons in J. E. A. Leigh Mem. (1871) 357 ‘What's your game?’..‘Speculation I believe.’ 1839 Dickens Nich. Nick. ix, They sat down to play speculation. 1868 Pardon Card Player 83 As a merry game for Christmas parties speculation is without a rival. |