speculation

[spek-yuh-ley-shuh n] /ˌspɛk yəˈleɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the contemplation or consideration of some subject:
to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.
2.
a single instance or process of consideration.
3.
a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation:
These speculations are impossible to verify.
4.
conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise:
a report based on speculation rather than facts.
5.
engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, especially trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.
6.
a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English speculacioun < Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion
Related forms
antispeculation, noun, adjective
nonspeculation, noun
overspeculation, noun
prespeculation, noun
semispeculation, noun
Synonyms
3. supposition, view, theory, hypothesis.
Examples from the web for speculation
  • If the author's speculation is irrelevant and wild, then provide your own theory that is not irrelevant or wild.
  • Exactly how dinosaurs got it on has inspired no small amount of speculation.
  • There is speculation that he was one of those people whose body couldn't break down alcohol.
  • While nobody knows for sure what these figures signify, speculation centers on shamanistic or religious figures.
  • Universities were also subject to a lot of fevered speculation back then.
  • There's speculation the current queen will abdicate this year or next and he would become king, if he survives that long.
  • This, however, must remain largely a matter of speculation.
  • Indifferent to truth in the transactions of life, he was honestly devoted to truth in the researches of speculation.
  • Relatively few animals have been reported dead, however, reviving speculation that animals somehow sense impending disaster.
  • In the beginning there was a lot of speculation about what happened.
British Dictionary definitions for speculation

speculation

/ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act or an instance of speculating
2.
a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating
3.
investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits
Word Origin and History for speculation
n.

late 14c., "contemplation, consideration," from Old French speculation, from Late Latin speculationem (nominative speculatio) "contemplation, observation," from Latin speculatus, past participle of speculari "observe," from specere "to look at, view" (see scope (n.1)). Disparaging sense of "mere conjecture" is recorded from 1570s. Meaning "buying and selling in search of profit from rise and fall of market value" is recorded from 1774; short form spec is attested from 1794.