Speculate \Spec"u*late\, v. t. To consider attentively; as, to speculate the nature of a thing. [R.] --Sir W. Hamilton.
Speculate \Spec"u*late\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Speculated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Speculating}.] [L. speculatus, p. p. of speculari to spy out, observe, fr. specula a lookout, fr. specere to look. See {Spy}.] 1. To consider by turning a subject in the mind, and viewing it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to contemplate; to theorize; as, to speculate on questions in religion; to speculate on political events.
It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most pefect quietude to the external regulations of society. --Hawthorne.
2. (Philos.) To view subjects from certain premises given or assumed, and infer conclusions respecting them a priori.
3. (Com.) To purchase with the expectation of a contingent advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; -- often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or hazardous transactions; as, to speculate in coffee, in sugar, or in bank stock.
He declined to speculate on how long Eastern could stay alive, but said "the economics are clear."
Executives speculate that between six and ten licenses will be awarded.
Traders continued to speculate that a Japanese media report Tuesday citing "several" Bank of Japan sources saying the central bank will loosen credit soon was a deliberate leak to the media.
Indeed, analysts speculate that it wasn't Mr. Gorbachev but some hard-liners around him who forced him to shift positions last Friday.
Eastern officials in the past said there were no plans to move Eastern's corporate headquarters from Miami to Atlanta, but wouldn't speculate on whether that was a possibility later.
Close cooperation with the government gives market participants an opportunity to understand policy makers' views, so they don't have to speculate as much on how officials react to specific indicators, analysts say.
They speculate that the firm didn't want to vote for Texaco because the share price could fall if management won.
He stuck closely to his chosen themes, avoiding any open criticism of Jackson and refusing to speculate about the vice presidency.
Guild Executive Director Brian Walton refused to speculate on how the vote would go.
Steve Hart, a member of the 12 striking unions' negotiating committee, declined to speculate how long the Ford workers would stay out.
Grain traders are continuing to speculate that several Western governments might increase economic assistance to the Soviet Union.
Farwell would not speculate on what type of company General Cinema might try to buy next.
Even analysts who have followed the company closely for years were distressed by the news, especially since without details of the letter they were left to speculate about its contents.
The man in the ad recently broke off an affair, they speculate, and the woman is sending him the seductive picture of herself to convince him he made a mistake.
The vigorous Israeli press is quick to smoke out a proposal or to speculate about U.S. diplomacy.
They speculate carriers might face a passenger boycott if they hike prices substantially to defray jet fuel costs, which have jumped 25 percent and more since Iraq seized Kuwait Aug. 2 and provoked world fear of an oil shortage.
Mr. Clarke declined to speculate about likely bidders.
Some speculate that a solution may be found in the abolition of Whitbread's 'poison-pill' two-tier share structure. Whitbread has made a Pounds 87m provision for the cost of this restructuring, which will deliver another knock to beer sales.
Bush aides speculate that Labor's Dole, who's had little impact, may run for the Senate if Jesse Helms retires.
"We're not going to speculate that far in the future," he said.
Amber Clark and three other victims were brunettes, aged 18 to 21. Authorities speculate that Pamela Clark was killed because she happened to be home with her daughter.
Another main provision would require all arbitragers, who speculate in takeover stocks, to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and would bring risk arbitrage under tighter supervision, according to a Proxmire aide.
Such hybrid products include stock index futures, which allow investors to speculate on movements in the stock market without having to buy the stocks themselves.
Dealers and traders here speculate that the government intends to repurchase as much as two trillion yen of bonds during the month of November, but Bank of Japan officials declined to comment on those rumors.
"Our job isn't to speculate on long-term value."
Some aides to Mr. McKay also speculate that the Supreme Court, even if it strikes down the law, may include some special provision for the filing of the stillunfinished report.
Wessex rose 12 to 463p and Thames 10 to 426p. Hanson saw heavy turnover as, according to one specialist, investors continued to speculate that it 'might not be a million miles away from doing its next deal'.
Pepsi wouldn't speculate about what might happen to its Indian venture as a result of any retaliatory flare-up, but it isn't taking chances, either.
Wall Street executives speculate that Harcourt is itself a takeover target, and that the company is adding debt and taking on acquisitions as much to deter potential raiders as to expand its businesses.
He did not speculate on the cause of death, but said Paul appeared in good health before the meal.