speculate etymology

Speculate

Etymology

  • Latin "speculari" (to observe, to watch)
  • From "specere" (to look)

Meaning

  • To form a theory or conjecture based on limited information
  • To engage in risky or uncertain activities with the hope of achieving a reward

Origin

The term "speculate" originated in ancient Rome, where it was used to describe the practice of observing the heavens to determine the future. The Romans believed that the movements of the stars and planets could provide insight into upcoming events.

Over time, the term was adopted in other contexts to refer to the act of forming theories or conjectures based on incomplete knowledge. It also came to be used in the financial world to describe the practice of investing in risky assets in the hope of making a profit.

speculate relate terms

  • speculation

    Etymology The word speculation comes from the Latin word speculatio which means spy

  • spec

    Etymology The word spec originates from the Latin word specere which means to see

  • aspect

    Etymology Aspect comes from the Latin word aspectus which means a look or a view

  • auspex

    Etymology Latin auspex auspicis Meaning A person who practices augury the ancie

  • auspices

    Etymology Latin auspicium from avis bird spěcio look at Meaning and Orig

  • auspicious

    Etymology Latin auspicium Derived from auspicium auspex augur icium actio

  • bishop

    Etymology From Middle English bischop from Old English biscop from Frankish biskups

  • circumspect

    Etymology Latin circumspectus past participle of circumspicere to look around Cir

  • conspicuous

    Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

  • episcopal

    Etymology Episc Greek Over upon or above Op Greek Face view aspect al Latin

  • especial

    Etymology The Spanish term especial derives from the Latin word specialis which mea

  • espionage

    Etymology French espionnage spying espionage Late Latin exspionare to track fi

  • espy

    Etymology The word espy comes from the Old French word espier which means to watch

  • expect

    Etymology Middle English expecten from Anglo Norman French expecten from Latin exspe

  • frontispiece

    Etymology The word frontispiece originates from the following Latin roots Frons for

  • gyroscope

    Etymology Greek gyros ring skopein to view Meaning A gyroscope is a devi

  • haruspex

    Etymology The word haruspex derives from two Latin roots haruspic or haruspic

  • horoscope

    Etymology and Meaning Horoscope is derived from the Late Latin word horoscopus whic

  • inspect

    Etymology Latin inspectus past participle of inspicere to look into examine Prefi

  • inspection

    Etymology The word inspection comes from the Latin inspectio which means a view o

  • inspector

    Etymology Latin inspector inspector Meaning A person appointed to examine or over

  • introspect

    Etymology The word introspect originates from the Latin words intro meaning inward

  • introspection

    Etymology The word introspection is derived from two Latin roots Intro meaning w

  • perspective

    Etymology Perspective comes from the Latin word perspicere which means to see throu

  • perspicacious

    Etymology of Perspicacious Perspicacious originates from the Latin word perspicax

  • perspicacity

    Etymology Perspicacity originates from the Latin word perspicacitās which is deriv

  • prospect

    Etymology and Meaning The word prospect has Latin origins deriving from prospectar

  • prospective

    Etymology Latin prospectivus Meaning Relating to or characterized by looking forw

  • respect

    Etymology The word respect derives from the Latin word respectus meaning a lookin

  • respite

    Etymology of Respite The word respite comes from the Latin word respicere meaning t

  • retrospect

    Etymology The word retrospect comes from the Latin roots retro meaning back and

  • scope

    Etymology The word scope comes from the Middle English term scōp which itself ori

  • skeptic

    Etymology Latin scēpticus from Greek skeptikos inquiring derived from skeptesth

  • species

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words their history and how their meanings have

  • specimen

    Etymology Latin specimen meaning pattern model or sample Meaning A rep

  • specious

    Etymology The word specious has Latin roots deriving from the following speciōsus

  • spectacle

    Etymology The word spectacle is derived from the Latin word spectaculum which means

  • spectacular

    Etymology The word spectacular comes from the Latin word spectare which means to l

  • spectrum

    Etymology The word spectrum comes from the Latin word spectrum which means appariti

  • speculate

    Speculate Etymology Latin speculari to observe to watch From specere to look

  • speculation

    Etymology The word speculation comes from the Latin word speculatio which means spy

  • spice

    Etymology The word spice comes from the Old French word espice which in turn comes f

  • suspect

    Etymology The word suspect is derived from the Latin word suspectus meaning distru

  • suspicion

    Etymology The word suspicion comes from the Old French word suspection which is itse

  • suspicious

    Etymology Suspicious is derived from the Late Latin word suspiciosus meaning dist

  • telescope

    Etymology Greek tele far skopos watcher Meaning A telescope is an optica

  • conjecture

    Etymology From Middle English conjecturen from Latin conjectura from conjicere to t

  • hypothecate

    Etymology The word hypothecate comes from the Ancient Greek word hupothēkē which m

  • theory

    Etymology The word theory comes from the Greek word θεωρία theōría meaning

  • galaxy

    Etymology The word galaxy comes from the Greek word galaxias which means milky

  • buck

    Etymology The word buck has several origins Middle English bocke from Old Engli

  • Orion

    Etymology The name Orion is derived from the Greek word Ωρίων Ōríōn This n

  • anticipate

    Etymology Latin anticipare from ante before capere to take Literally meaning

  • guess

    Etymology refers to the study of the origin and development of words It involves tracing

  • contemplate

    Etymology Origin Latin contemplari meaning to gaze at consider meditate upon Root